Cannibis Social Clubs: A Cross-National Comparative Analysis

• In Event: Qualitative Innovations: From Theory to Practice

Abstract

Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are a model of non-profit production and distribution of cannabis among a closed circuit of adult cannabis users. The model can be seen as a middle-ground option between prohibition and full (legal) commercialization. CSCs are now operating in several countries around the world, albeit under very different legal regimes and in different socio-political contexts. In Spain and in Belgium this form of collectives has emerged as a result of grassroots initiatives by cannabis activists. In Uruguay, the CSC model has been regulated through a top-down process. Public authorities have reacted differently to their existence (repression, tolerance and proposals of regulation), depending on the moment and the level of government considered. In this paper we describe and compare the practices of cannabis social clubs and the public policy responses in three countries (Uruguay, Spain and Belgium), and draw general lessons on how to regulate cannabis social clubs. The data used for this analysis stem from independently conducted local studies by the authors in their countries, but they were collected through similar data collection methods: analysis of (legal and other documents), field visits to the clubs, interviews with staff members, media content analysis.

Authors

• Tom Decorte, Ghent University

• Mafalda Pardal, Ghent University

• Rosario Queirolo, Universidad Católica del Uruguay

• Maria Fernanda Boidi, LAPOP, Vanderbilt University

• Constanza Sanchez Aviles, ICEERS Foundation

• Oscar Pares Franquero, ICEERS Foundation