Harm reduction and cannabis social clubs: Exploring their true potential

Obradors-Pineda, Anna; Bouso, José-Carlos; Franquero, Òscar Parés; Romaní, Jorge

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103358

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…However, in general, cannabis clubs have to ll some crucial gaps to implement a harm reduction policy: providing information on risks and harms, offering health support services for members, performing lab tests on the cannabis they supply, etc. (55). Additionally, cannabis clubs must reconsider the maximum quantity of cannabis distributed monthly to each member-currently between 60 and 90 g…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differentiating heavy cannabis users through latent class analysis

Roldán

García-Muñoz

Gamella

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: Daily or near-daily cannabis users vary considerably in their daily dosage and use frequency, impacting both experienced effects and adverse consequences. This study identified heavy cannabis user groups according to consumption patterns and factors associated with class membership. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 400 Spanish residents (62.2% male; average age=29.6 years) who had used cannabis ≥3 days/week throughout the past year. Participants were recruited through chain referral and cannabis social clubs. We applied latent class analysis (LCA) to cluster participants according to use intensity. Associations between class membership and socio-demographics, use patterns, motives, supply sources, adverse outcomes, and use of other substances were measured using ANOVA and chi-squared tests. Multinomial regression identified the factors associated with latent class membership. Results: Three latent classes (moderately heavy: 23%, heavy: 67.5%, very heavy: 9.5%) had average weekly cannabis intakes of 2.3, 5.6, and 18.3 grams, respectively. Age, education, years of use, buying cannabis in a club, Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) scores, and cocaine use were associated with cannabis use intensity. Very heavy users were older ( X2 =20.44, p<0.01), less educated X2=28.92, p<0.001), and had used cannabis for longer (F=6.80, p=0.001). The prevalence of past-month cocaine use ( X2 =13.90, p<0.05) and CAST scores (F=25.73, p<0.001) increased across the classes. Cannabis was usually obtained from a club by very heavy users ( X2 =24.40, p<0.001). Conclusions: Heavy cannabis users are heterogenous and present several groups according to frequency and quantity of cannabis consumption. Use intensity is associated with increased cannabis use disorders and dependence.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differentiating heavy cannabis users through latent class analysis

Roldán

García-Muñoz

Gamella

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Our findings also indicate that The Box plays a role in reducing potential social (e.g., eviction) and policy (e.g., ticketing) risks associated with cannabis smoking, which, in turn, generates a sense of safety. As Obradors-Pineda et al ( 2021 ) point out in a recent paper on the harm reduction potential of cannabis clubs, “social and legal risks of cannabis use are substantially reduced in a club setting, which also provides a safe environment for consumption along with information on normative amounts of cannabis that can be used daily and monthly” (p. 3). This is consistent with our findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Box Has Become an Indispensable Part of My Life”: A Case Study of Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and its Consumption Space

Gagnon

Payne

Walsh

et al. 2023

Contemporary Drug Problems

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Community-based models of cannabis cultivation, distribution, and consumption—such as cannabis clubs—have been documented across Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand since the 1990s. For the most part, these models have a history of operating outside existing legislation and regulations. Jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis have approached community-based models in opposite ways (eliminate vs. regulate). Canada legalizing cannabis has resulted in more stringent enforcement and concerted efforts to close these models despite documented health and social benefits. This paper presents a case study of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) and its consumption space—The Box. We conducted a survey of VCBC members to explore four domains: demographics, cannabis consumption, access to and use of The Box, and the impact of its temporary closure due to COVID-19. From the survey data ( n = 104), descriptive statistics were generated and three conceptual avenues were identified. The majority of respondents were 40 years old and older and identified as White (European descent) cisgendered men and women. The majority reported an income of $40,000 or less and a housing status that prevented them from smoking. Close to 75% of our sample consumed cannabis multidaily for therapeutic purposes primarily, but also for a mix of recreation, social, spiritual, and traditional healing purposes. Smoking was the preferred mode of consumption. Respondents accessed The Box daily or weekly. Reasons and benefits for using The Box fell into three categories: public health, harm reduction, and wellness perspectives. Conceptually, we found that The Box acted as a therapeutic space and offered a much-needed consumption space for smokers. We also identified a need to unpack the concept of safety. Overall, the survey reinforces the need for an equity-informed approach to community-based models and cannabis consumption spaces in Canada.

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“…Unlike for‐profit models for cannabis supply, CSC prescribe to harm reduction aims, which are partially achieved by self‐regulatory conditions, such as granting the adults‐only access, limiting daily and monthly amounts per member, providing safe environments for consumption and quality control of products [3]. Some gaps with respect to achieving harm reduction in CSC have been identified, including lack of routine laboratory tests [4] and regulation of retail prices [3]. Pricing policies are considered effective measures to protect public health (e.g., for cannabis see [5] and for alcohol see [6]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prices of flower and resin in cannabis social clubs: Analyses of register data from 220,000 collections

Manthey

Obradors-Pineda

2023

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Introduction Cannabis social clubs (CSC) are community‐based non‐profit organisations that aim to minimise cannabis‐related harm for their members. This contribution seeks to: (i) compare the cost of cannabis flower and resin in CSCs to the national average retail price on the illegal market; and (ii) identify possible quantity discounts for cannabis flower and resin distributed to members of CSCs. Methods Routine data from four CSCs located in Barcelona, Spain, contained information on n = 220,465 collections of cannabis resin and flower (0.01–39 g per collection). The costs for 1 g of cannabis flower and resin per collection were determined. The mean national prices on illicit cannabis were obtained from Spanish police reports. Results On average, members paid 6.19€ for 1 g flower (median: 6€; interquartile range: 6–7€) and 8.54€ for 1 g resin (median: 7€; interquartile range: 6–9€), with less variations for flower than for resin. Compared to the national average, prices appeared to be higher for cannabis products distributed in CSCs, but comparisons were limited by a lack of data on the variation of national prices. For resin, doubling the quantity was associated with a 20.7% (95% confidence interval 20.4–21.2%; p < 0.001) fee discount. Discussion and conclusions Cannabis in CSCs may be more costly than the estimated national average for the illicit market. No meaningful price discount could be observed for flower but for resin. Pricing policies pursued by CSCs may help to disincentivise consumption of larger amounts but may also bar socioeconomically disadvantaged users from accessing safer alternatives than the illegal market.

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Harm reduction and cannabis social clubs: Exploring their true potential

Cited by 10 publications

References 15 publications

Differentiating heavy cannabis users through latent class analysis

Differentiating heavy cannabis users through latent class analysis

“The Box Has Become an Indispensable Part of My Life”: A Case Study of Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and its Consumption Space

Prices of flower and resin in cannabis social clubs: Analyses of register data from 220,000 collections

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