Revisiting the Birthplace of the Cannabis Social Club Model and the Role Played by Cannabis Social Club Federations

Abstract

Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are a nonprofit model for the supply of cannabis originating in Spain. This article aims to provide an overview of current CSC practices in Barcelona, exploring the role played by CSC Federations in shaping them. This analysis draws on 32 semistructured interviews with CSC managers ( n = 15) and with other stakeholders in Barcelona ( n = 17). We build also on field observations at other CSCs based in Barcelona. We found a heterogeneity of CSC practices, some of which were not in line with the self-regulatory codes developed by the CSC Federations. In applying an earlier CSC typology, we identified also country-specific CSC features. While the CSC Federations have contributed to unifying the cannabis movement and made efforts to homogenize CSCs’ practices, in the absence of (government) cannabis regulation, their efforts have to some extent been undermined.

Hidden and uninterested populations: Methodological insights and unresolved issues from the study of Cannabis Social Clubs

“…and the extent to which CSCs may or may not seek to generate financial gains. These are just a few of the differences that have been identified to date (Decorte, 2015;Jansseune et al, 2019;Pardal, 2018a). Even in Uruguay, where the legal framework, to some extent, determines the way CSCs are functioning, there are different positions with regard to its implementation and to what the ideal The sample size should be interpreted with caution as (1) the (limited) available estimates suggest a varying number of CSCs per country and (2) in some cases, the researchers were not interested in reaching the largest number possible of CSCs (e.g.…”

“… CSC: Cannabis Social Clubs. Sources: ¹Decorte, 2015; ²Pardal, (2018a, 2018b, 2018c); Pardal & Decorte, (2018); ³Pardal et al, (2020); 4Decorte et al, (2017); 5Jansseune et al, (2019); 6Bone & de Hoedt, (2018); Bone, (2019); 7Queirolo et al, (2016); 8Pardal et al, (2019). a The sample size should be interpreted with caution as (1) the (limited) available estimates suggest a varying number of CSCs per country and (2) in some cases, the researchers were not interested in reaching the largest number possible of CSCs (e.g. S6) or preferred to include different sources/voices (e.g.…”

“… Sources: ¹Decorte, 2015; ²Pardal, (2018a, 2018b, 2018c); Pardal & Decorte, (2018); ³Pardal et al, (2020); 4Decorte et al, (2017); 5Jansseune et al, (2019); 6Bone & de Hoedt, (2018); Bone, (2019); 7Queirolo et al, (2016); 8Pardal et al, (2019). …”

“…Most of these associations advocate for cannabis reform and implement a diverse repertoire of action: collective cannabis cultivation, competitions among cannabis growers, study meetings and workshops on cannabis-related issues, protests, informative campaigns, proposals for alternative legislation, concerts, and other social events (Alvarez et al, 2016; Arocena and Aguiar, 2017; Calafat et al, 2000; Marín, 2009; Pettitt-Schieber, 2012). Key among these actions is the supply of cannabis to the members of these associations (Decorte et al, 2017; Jansseune et al, 2019; Pardal, 2018a), 1 which is not without risks for those involved. Indeed, we should note that Uruguay remains the only country to date to have (since 2013) enacted a detailed nationwide legal framework recognizing and regulating CSCs and the way in which they can produce and distribute cannabis to their members (Queirolo et al, 2016).…”

“…Furthermore, at least in part, due to the legal constraints experienced by most of these associations, many close down following law enforcement interventions or due to fear of detection, making it particularly difficult to keep track of their presence, activities, or affiliated members (Pardal, 2018b). Some of the research in this area has also pointed to the co-existence of several types of CSCs, with different degrees of engagement in activism and a different positioning in relation to whether (and the extent to which) they are overt about what they do (Pardal, 2018a; Jansseune et al, 2019). In addition, both CSCs active in contexts where no CSC-regulation has been enacted, as well as those operating in breach of existing CSC-regulation, may be cautious about sharing information about their (illegal) activities.…”