First Messi, now Weed – cannabis clubs in Barcelona may have to close due to a new ruling

Around 200 marijuana clubs in Barcelona now face an uncertain future and are of particular concern to the city’s cannabis community. A crucial part of Barcelona’s delightful charm is its focus on many marijuana clubs known locally as “Associations” but this can collapse with the city’s current setbacks.

Local laws and the implications of the court

The city court dealt another blow to the situation that has now affected 200 regional clubs and possibly prevented them from continuing their operations. They are private member clubs but rely primarily on tourists to build the associations while attracting tourists and visitors to the city.

The clubs charge a fee of € 10, which is the equivalent of $ 11.83, and are used primarily for the main goal of buying cannabis. The Public Health Organization proposed new tightened measures in 2014 that will regulate cannabis clubs. Now general rule rests under the local government of Catalonia with powers under the dispersed political system of Spain.

This rule with cannabis associations in the city does not replace the Spanish national regulations as the laws in Spain allow isolated and personalized cannabis use. The marijuana clubs got a curveball in 2017 when the court claimed superiority over regional laws.

The law once stated that adult private use of marijuana is a fragment of their basic human rights. You have the right to individual development and freedom of life.

The groups and clubs will continue to operate for the time being, but under city statutes that regulate the marijuana trade. But this was also overridden by the fact that the judiciary took power from city officials.

Associations believed they might be forced to close soon enough. Federation of Catalan Marijuana Association spokesman Eric Asensio told a newspaper (The Guardian) that the judiciary is harassing the association without considering the authenticity of Barcelona, ​​a city that has been successful with these laws for over thirty years.

The city, which supports the club’s gray area position, has also stated that the latest laws prohibit the sale, advertising, and use of cannabis. A major setback for the future of the club.

City officials also claim that they will investigate the clubs, starting with the clubs that have a negative impact on travelers and big sales. Asensio adds that if Barcelona comply with the rules, corruption will be reduced as it undermines the mafia’s plans to infiltrate the system. It is still unclear whether the latest ruling will stand and whether the groups still have a plan to protect their industries.

Will gang members blame marijuana club growing processes for this move?

Vice News released a feature post that focused on Barcelona’s illegal activities, “Europe’s cannabis capital”. The journalist reported that the decline in domestic tourism had enabled Mafia members to take control of the marijuana trade. They also worked closely with the clubs, which made the cannabis groups vulnerable to abuse.

The associations initially acted as secluded clubs where members bought and smoked marijuana on their premises. Recently, however, many of these clubs have left this system and become conduits for huge amounts of marijuana grown in Catalonia. This was of course monitored by Eastern Europe and other gang organizations.

In the past year, the police in Barcelona dispersed 34 criminal groups that have sprung up and are linked to marijuana. The police destroyed about three hundred and nineteen plantations. Spain remains tolerant of marijuana, with people guilty of cannabis crimes barely staying in prison for more than two years (this applies to all marijuana crimes).

The decline of the vacation industry in Barcelona (caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and made marijuana companies flourish in Catalonia) meant darker forces could also take up part of the cake. A police report by Mossos d’Esquadra said Catalonia is now the center of the illegal cannabis market in Europe. The report also states that Catalonia will become a net shipper of marijuana to other European industries.

The Chinese mob called “Bang of Fujian” used clubs in Barcelona and other Spanish cities to trade illegally grown marijuana. Europol hovered over 29 warehouses in Barcelona and stopped gang operations.

So the innocent tourism sector in Barcelona is once again facing a massive cannabis crisis as courts continue to lock city regulations that make the city safer.

What is the future of cannabis clubs in Barcelona?

It is difficult to predict what will happen to the clubs after the judgment of the court. However, the fact that there is conversation on the subject is a sign that cannabis enthusiasts are ready to seek a change.

The change they want will take time as the city is still grappling with the post-COVID-19 experience. However, if the government is interested in maximizing club revenue, more proactive measures will be taken.

Gangs and Mafia members should not be allowed to adopt blooming and positive associations that have become a place where people can enjoy marijuana without fear. So the future of cannabis clubs today looks uncertain, but one thing is certain, it will no longer stay that way.

Cannabis has gone through similar situations in other regions and countries, overcoming exploitation by nefarious groups. Things are better today in some of these regions and that could be the history of Barcelona’s clubs in the future.

Bottom line

Barcelona’s cannabis clubs were a safe place for legal age cannabis users to smoke and enjoy cannabis with fellow enthusiasts. Although the clubs were formed with good intentions, they were kidnapped by mafia and gang members who forced the court to close some of the clubs.

Cannabis operations are still under threat in cities around the world due to these activities and legal orders. Will Barcelona overcome these problems? Will his cannabis communities recover from the challenges they face? Time will tell, but right now the cannabis community in Barcelona is stronger than ever.

CANNABIS CLUBS IN SPAIN, READ MORE ..

CANNABIS CLUBS IN SPAIN INTRODUCE NEW REGULATIONS, READ THIS!