Cannabis social clubs and coffee shops are establishments that provide cannabis products. Sometimes, the two titles may be used interchangeably, but they are different, particularly in terms of how they operate and where they are located.
An increasing number of countries are legalizing cannabis. Even Asia is making an entrance onto the scene, with Thailand becoming the first Asian nation in the continent to legalize cannabis.
Having said that, each nation and various jurisdictions within some countries have established their own rules surrounding the acquisition and use of cannabis. They’re also setting specific rules about the amount of cannabis that can be bought and consumed, who can purchase it, and how it is specifically defined.
Cannabis Social Clubs in Spain
In Spain, establishments that offer cannabis products are known as cannabis social clubs, and are locally referred to as ‘asociaciones cannabicos‘. These places are non-profit organizations that only club members can access. As such, the public cannot gain access to these social clubs.
To become a member of these establishments, you must either request an invitation by contacting a specific club, or you must be invited by a current member.
Further, cannabis social clubs in Spain are regulated by local government authorities. In fact, the rules can be somewhat stringent and even dictate the type of verbiage that can and cannot be used when referencing cannabis.
For example, financial terms like “get” or “pick up” may be used, but others that explicitly describe the purchase of cannabis may not be. This is because such vocabulary could be associated with drug trafficking in Spain, which is an offense.
The only place that people in Spain are legally permitted to purchase cannabis is at a social club that they are members of. Selling it outside of such establishments is considered a crime.
In terms of cannabis use, personal consumption in Spain is permitted, as long as it is done on private property. It is against the law to use or even possess cannabis in public, and consumers may face fines if caught.
Coffee Shops in the Netherlands
Coffee shops are stores in the Netherlands where cannabis is sold to the public. However, cannabis is only sold in small amounts for personal use, and larger quantities for commercial use are not permitted.
There are some rules that coffee shops in the Netherlands must follow, and owners of such shops that do not comply with these regulations could face legal consequences. Coffee shops in the Netherlands may be visited regularly by authorities to ensure compliance.
Some of the rules that coffee shops are required to adhere to in Amsterdam include the following:
- No entrance of minors permitted
- A valid permit is required
- Photo ID is required
- No more than 5 g of cannabis is permitted per person per day
- No more than 500 g of cannabis may be kept in the coffee shop at once
- No alcohol, cigarettes, or hard drugs are permitted on the premises
- No advertising for drugs and coffee shops is allowed
- Information about cannabis products must be provided to customers as required
The municipality of Amsterdam has permitted the opening of a limited number of coffee shops as a way to minimize unauthorized street sales and to separate ‘soft drugs’ (including cannabis) from the hard drugs market. At the same time, the local government seeks to maintain a manageable and streamlined cannabis sector, which is why the municipality chooses to allow only a smaller number of such coffee shops.
Ultimately, it’s important to understand the laws surrounding cannabis in various parts of the world, as the rules are different everywhere you go. Knowing what the local regulations are will allow you to enjoy cannabis without breaching laws and finding yourself in legal trouble.
