Costa Brava, which translates to “Wild Coast” or “Rough Coast,” is a beautiful coastal region located in northeastern Spain. The region has a very active tourism business because of its amazing summer climate, beautiful landscapes and nature, gorgeous beaches, and favorable foreign exchange rate. While cannabis is not legally allowed in public, there are some great private clubs where you can enjoy cannabis without facing legal repercussions.
So, what are the 6 best cannabis clubs in Costa Brava?
- The Secret Society
- La Iguana
- Club Oki Doki
- Punto Verde Club
- Oceano Verde
- Asociacion Dany
As of 2015, smoking cannabis in public places as well as trafficking cannabis was made illegal. However, it is legal to smoke cannabis in the privacy of your own home and to grow it for personal use. Cannabis clubs are places where people can enjoy cannabis privately as long as they are over the age of 21 with proper ID.
The Best 6 Cannabis Clubs in Costa Brava, Spain
Even though you cannot walk around Costa Brava smoking cannabis, there are plenty of places available for you to privately (and legally) partake.
The top 6 cannabis clubs in Costa Brava are:
- The Secret Society is a that is located in Lloret De Mar, Catalunya, Spain. It has a 4.9 our of 5 star rating on Weedmaps.
- La Iguana is a recreational dispensary that is located in Blanes, Girona, Spain. It has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on Weedmaps.
- Club Oki Doki is a recreational dispensary that is located in Lloret De Mar, Catalunya, Spain. It has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Weedmaps.
- Punto Verde Club is a recreational dispensary that is located in Figueres, Catalunya, Spain. It has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Weedmaps.
- Oceano Verde is a recreational dispensary that is located in Lloret De Mar, Catalunya, Spain. It has a 3.5 out of 5 star rating on Weedmaps.
- Asociacion Dany is a recreational dispensary that is located in Figueres, Catalunya, Spain. It has 3.8 out of 5 stars on Weedmaps.
Cannabis Clubs in Spain – Rules and Restrictions
In Spain, these clubs are referred to as Cannabis Social Clubs, or CSCs. The first CSC was founded in 2001, and its “model” allows for the collective growth and distribution of cannabis to members of the club for their own personal use. There are certain criteria that the clubs have to meet to be considered legal, though.
The rules and restrictions of cannabis social clubs are:
- The CSC has to register with a regional registry of associations. When it registers, its founding members may be subject to background checks. For legal reasons, the definition of “associations” for this registry is: “a group of people who enter into an agreement, in order to accomplish a common objective with a non-profit motive, independent (at least formally) from government, public administration, political parties and companies.”
- The clubs are required to reduce the harms associated with cannabis by doing things like promoting responsible consumption.
- Cannabis social clubs and their premises have to be closed to the public. People seeking membership can only join the club in two ways. They can be invited by a current CSC member who can vouch that they are already a cannabis user, or they can join with a doctor’s note that states they suffer with an illness that can be treated with cannabis.
- CSCs must adhere to limits that are placed on the quantity of cannabis consumed in a day. Not only is the amount of the club’s cultivated cannabis based upon the number of members the club currently has, but there are also daily personal allowances in place to reduce the chance of cannabis entering the illegal market from the CSCs.
- The cannabis that is distributed by CSCs is mostly for immediate consumption. This falls in line with the CSC model of promoting planned and non-impulsive use of cannabis and limiting the amount of cannabis on the illicit market. At times, small quantities of cannabis are allowed to be brought off-site for personal use.
- Cannabis social clubs can only be run as non-profit associations. Members pay fees to cover the cost of production and management and the club’s profits are placed back into its operations, like the club’s rent and taxes.
The Cannabis Social Club model has been very successful – there are about 400 CSCs in Spain alone! Furthermore, the model has inspired CSCs to form in other countries as well, like Uruguay, Argentina, and Belgium, among others.
Cannabis Social Clubs offer “protection, security, and anonymity” to their members. You will never find your information given to the government or any authorities. In fact, authorities cannot even enter into a CSC without prior and specific authorization. Discretion is paramount to the clubs.
Tourists and CSCs – Are They Allowed to Join?
For the most part, CSCs are restricted to only residents of Spain. However, there are some CSCs that offer a temporary membership for tourists.
To join a CSC temporarily, you typically have to follow these steps:
- Make your appointment with the CSC of your choice.
- Fill out your paperwork and provide the proper identification. As a tourist, you will most likely need to show your passport.
- Pay your membership fee. They range between 25 and 50 euros and do not include the cost of the cannabis you will purchase.
Not all CSCs will allow for temporary membership, but it is possible to enjoy the perks of a Cannabis Social Club while touring Spain if you do your research. Remember that there are daily limits to the cannabis that you are allowed in the club.
The Illegality of Cannabis in Spain – What is Actually Legal?
The phenomenon of Cannabis Social Clubs in Spain can be confusing to some – especially tourists – because cannabis is actually illegal in many ways in the country. For example, trafficking, selling, and carrying cannabis and smoking or displaying cannabis in public are all illegal. The only legal cannabis use is personal use in private places.
Currently, Spain is undergoing a sort of “cannabis renaissance.” In spite of the illegality surrounding most cannabis practices in the country, Spain is home to “some of the world’s most active [cannabis] research teams.” It is no secret that the attitude toward cannabis has shifted toward acceptance and, sometimes, reverence of cannabis because of the newfound medicinal uses of the plant.
In Conclusion…
While there is a process to follow in order to enjoy cannabis in Spain, it is possible to do so. If you are a tourist, you must make sure that you follow the letter of the law in your cannabis acquisition and consumption in order to avoid being arrested. Nothing puts a damper on your vacation like spending time in a foreign jail or having to use all of your vacation money to pay fines.
Cannabis Social Clubs are a new and safe way to allow people to partake in cannabis without having to worry about dealing with the illicit market.
Popular Clubs in Costa Brava
- The Secret Society
- La Iguana
- Club Oki Doki
- Punto Verde Club
- Oceano Verde
- Asociacion Danyw