Barcelona’s booming cannabis clubs are turning Spain into the Netherlands of the South. If the city government is to be believed, the clubs have lowered consumption and street dealing to a large extent. Even the police admit that the clubs are working. But are they doing enough to curb the problem? The Supreme Court could soon rule that the clubs are not regulated by city law. The answer depends on the nature of the clubs.
The Spanish legalized medical marijuana in 2003 and subsequently allowed limited consumption in clubs. The Dutch, however, influenced the debate and subsequently made cannabis consumption legal in the country. In Catalonia, activists organized to keep cannabis clubs open. However, the Basque Country court ruled against the cannabis clubs and rejected Albert Tio’s petition for a legalization. In the Netherlands, a similar situation was occurring.
The conflicting rules and regulations for marijuana use in Spain seem to be a contradiction in terms of the law. While individual marijuana use is allowed in private homes, cannabis consumers face stiff fines in public spaces. Spain’s Partido Popular party has bucked the trend toward decriminalization by passing a new public safety law in 2015. Under this new law, administrative fines for narcotics rose to EUR600, and the penalties for serious offenses were doubled.
While the Catalan government did not want Barcelona to be the next Amsterdam, the public health agency in the city has proposed strict regulations on cannabis clubs. With more than 700 cannabis clubs in Barcelona, the city is well on its way to rival the Dutch capital. In fact, the number of clubs in Barcelona has skyrocketed from 40 in 2010 to more than 700 in 2018.
The demonization of dark skin leads to disproportionate treatment of people of colour by law enforcement. The resulting disproportionality is manifested in disproportionate prosecution of cannabis offences. The European cannabis industry has become next a lucrative business for small time growers, but they must be protected from criminal networks and other criminals. This disproportionality must stop! But if a country doesn’t crack down on illegal cannabis, it will become a Holland of the South.
But the Spanish justice system has stepped in to stop the growth of the drug. The UDEV has dismantled one of the largest Chinese networks operating in Spain. Two of its plantations were discovered in Barcelona, one auto cheese nl review in Girona, and one in Barcelona. In addition to the police raid, the Spanish government also halted the project pending the harvest. The Spanish judiciary halted the project before the cannabis could be harvested.
Although a ban on cannabis is a big deal, it has a major negative impact on the culture of the country. Several countries with open borders may impose stricter restrictions on cannabis if the COVID-19 cases rise. This would reduce the options of international charging, making it difficult to get back home. Furthermore, some cannabis shops are tourist traps, so they are overrated and not of high quality.
The current CBD war is not over, but the fight for legalization is intensifying. The Spanish government will probably pass stricter laws on cannabis consumption before allowing it to become legal. In Barcelona, it may be difficult to join the clubs, but the battle is not over yet. The upcoming COVID ruling will impact how fast the cannabis industry reforms in the country. In the meantime, there are some things that the city should prepare for.
Legalization of marijuana in Barcelona has made it one of the most popular tourist destinations for legal weed in Europe. The city was an early center for chocolate when it first entered Europe from Mexico. It is home to the Picasso Museum and the Miro Museum. The National Art Museum of Catalonia is home to the country’s most extensive collection of Romanesque art. The city also has an impressive museum of contemporary art, which is known as MNAC.
There are several movies about the thriving marijuana industry in Barcelona. The Lonely Hearts Club is a popular novel, and it portrays the dark side of the city. There is also a great restaurant scene, with two of the world’s most highly regarded restaurants. elBulli was voted the best restaurant in the world by readers. It is hard to find a restaurant in Barcelona that doesn’t serve marijuana, but it is certainly worth the try.
Despite the legal and social consequences, these events have only made the marijuana industry more attractive. These changes have also impacted the legal status of marijuana, which has resulted in a social cannabis club movement in Catalonia. This movement has blurred the lines between illegal and legal cannabis, creating a safe haven for users and entrepreneurs. In addition, the social cannabis club movement is making Barcelona a hotbed of illegal weed.