A Cannabis Social Club (CSC), sometimes called Cannabis Club, Cannabis Association, or Teapad, is an industry model for regulated cannabis[1] organised as non-profit cooperatives in which cannabis is cultivated, shared, and enjoyed collectively, usually for the purpose of relaxing or for social communion.

These places differ from standard cannabis dispensaries, or Dutch coffeeshops, in that those are operating in a for-profit basis open to all adults, whereas Cannabis Clubs operate on non-profit grounds and only allow access to registered members.[2] Research suggests that CSCs can have positive outcomes in terms of public health and harm reduction.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

History

1920s and the early concept in Northern America

Cannabis consumers clubs became popular in the United States during prohibition. Cannabis was often used as a legal intoxicant since alcohol was illegal.[17] Teapads were developed as clubs in urban areas where jazz music was performed and cannabis was consumed.[18]

Teapads usually catered to those in the jazz scene and were usually furnished comfortably, often playing jazz music.[19] Music in homage from these clubs arose; Gene Krupa even composed an entire album named "Teapad Songs Volume 1".[20]

These clubs disappeared after cannabis became illegal, although some groups (such as the early San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club) continued to operate a model with similar tenets.

2000s and the European model

During the 1990s and early 2000s, an important number of "cannabis users associations" appeared in Spain, mostly the Basque country and Catalonia regions.[14] Many of these Spanish groups were members of the pan-European non-government organization ENCOD[21][2] which coined the expression Cannabis Social Club in 2005, as a way to better describe the conceptual economic and organizational model of these groups. The term was also thought as a way to enable the normalization of this model for the legal production and distribution of cannabis for adults.[22][23][24]

Cannabis Social Clubs are non-commercial organizations which organize the professional, collective cultivation of very limited amounts of cannabis, just enough to cover the personal needs of their club members.[25]

Cultivation, transport, distribution and consumption are subject to security and quality checks, and are done without publicity or advertisement of any kind. The members finance the system by subscriptions, according to their needs. Each member gets a value card with units, according to their credit, with a maximum limit per month and per year. The members are prohibited from reselling any cannabis obtained from the club, and are required to ensure that it is not consumed by minors.[26] In their European Cannabis Social Club Guidelines,[27] ENCOD explains:

CSCs are characterised by transparency, democracy and non-profitability. They function as an association, with complete openness about financial arrangements to their members, so the members can see how the costs are calculated and the money is spent. CSC's organise a general assembly at least once a year, where annual reports are discussed and approved. These reports include a full balance of income and expenses in the past fiscal year, according to the rules established for this purpose. A CSC is not a business in which there are economic benefits that are used for personal profit. The benefits are not shared between the partners, and therefore, it could be less attractive to criminal structures. Unlike cannabis distributors who operate on the illegal market, CSC's are willing to enter into dialogue with authorities to provide insight into their working methods, in the framework of the elaboration of regulation of cannabis.[27]

In contrast to the Cannabis Buyers Club, a CSC are not limited to medical-only use. In the United States, Cannabis Social Clubs often do not allow the dispensation of cannabis products onsite, but only allow consumption. They are sometimes referred to as Cannabis Consumption Clubs.

2010s onwards: enactment into national laws

While Cannabis Social Clubs have long been informally organized, and subject to legal uncertainty, this situation started to change in the mid-2010s, with the first enactment of the Cannabis Social Club model into laws.

Uruguay

In 2014, Uruguay adopted a law legalizing non-medical cannabis use and production under different dispositions, one of them allowing up to 45 citizens to create a not-for-profit organization to cultivate up to 99 plants and share the harvest among themselves. In the Uruguayan Law, Article 28[28] establishes:

"The Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis shall have the following powers: [...] D) Authorize cannabis membership clubs pursuant to the legal provisions in force and related regulations."[28]

Further disposition establish that "Membership clubs shall have a minimum of fifteen and a maximum of forty-five members. They may grow up to ninety-nine cannabis plants of psychoactive use and obtain as product of the crop a maximum annual storage proportional to the number of members and in accordance with the quantities specified for the non-medicinal use of psychoactive cannabis."

Malta

In December 2021, the Parliament of Malta adopted Bill No. 241[29][30] which creates the "Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis" and, in its Article 7A, authorizes Cannabis Social Clubs:

"it shall be permissible to establish, and an individual may be a member of, an organisation the membership of which shall consist only of individuals in their personal capacity and acting only in their own name the only purpose of which being the cultivation of the plant cannabis exclusively for its members in a collective manner to distribute it only to those members."[29]

CSCs in Malta would be able to provide their members with up to 7 grammes (¼ oz) per day, with a maximum of 50 grammes (1¾ oz) per month.[31]

South Africa

In South Africa, after a 2019 Constitutional Court ruling decriminaliing personal activities, CSCs have unfolded under the name of Dagga Private Clubs,[32] although remaining in a grey area.

Switzerland

Although not legally-regulated as such, an experimental protocol allowing to develop Cannabis Clubs managed by universities, local authorities, research institutes, associations or foundations.[33] Pilot trials can be set up between 2021 and 2031, as enacted by Switzerland in 2021.[34] In early 2022, pilot trials with different modalities were approved in the cities of Basel, Lausanne and Zurich.[35][36][37]

Germany

According to a plan for cannabis reform presented in April 2023,[38] users in Germany would be able to purchase up to 25 grams (⅞ oz) of cannabis each day, but no more than 50 grams (1¾ oz) in a single month. The legal limit of members in Germany was proposed to be 500.[39] A number of changes and proposals are ongoing to establish final criteria for future cannabis clubs in the country.

Cannabis Social Clubs throughout the world

Cannabis clubs regulated by law

  • Malta, which adopted in December 2021 a law regulating Cannabis Social Clubs.[29]
  • Switzerland: In 2016 four Swiss cities agreed to establish pilot cannabis clubs.[40] The pilot trial started in 2022 and could run until May 2031.[34]
  • Uruguay, which adopted in 2014 a law regulating Cannabis Social Clubs up to 45 members.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction, 05.31.2016, Models for the legal supply of cannabis: recent developments - "Cannabis social clubs: production without retail sale"
  2. 1 2 Ghehiouèche, Farid; Riboulet-Zemouli, Kenzi; Beauchesne, Line; Marks, Amber; Bertrand, Olivier; Parés Franquero, Òscar; Del Valle, Joseba; Rainsford, Richard; Krawitz, Michael (2016). Cannabis Social Club: Policy for the XXIst century. A social, ethic, human-scale and health-based model addressing the misuse, abuse and potential damages due to cannabis use while countering the unregulated growth of cannabis supply (PDF) (Contribution to UNGASS 2016 – United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem ed.). Vienna: FAAAT.
  3. ↑ Belackova, Vendula; Tomkova, Alexandra; Zabransky, Tomas (2016). "Qualitative research in Spanish cannabis social clubs: "The moment you enter the door, you are minimising the risks"". The International Journal on Drug Policy. 34: 49–57. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.04.009. ISSN 1873-4758. PMID 27461986.
  4. ↑ Decorte, Tom; Pardal, Mafalda; Queirolo, Rosario; Boidi, Maria Fernanda; Sánchez Avilés, Constanza; Parés Franquero, Òscar (2017-05-01). "Regulating Cannabis Social Clubs: A comparative analysis of legal and self-regulatory practices in Spain, Belgium and Uruguay". International Journal of Drug Policy. 43: 44–56. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.12.020. hdl:1854/LU-8509050. ISSN 0955-3959. PMID 28189980. S2CID 3934108.
  5. ↑ Pardal, Mafalda; Decorte, Tom (October 2018). "Cannabis Use and Supply Patterns Among Belgian Cannabis Social Club Members". Journal of Drug Issues. 48 (4): 689–709. doi:10.1177/0022042618791295. ISSN 0022-0426. S2CID 59295008.
  6. ↑ Pardal, Mafalda (2018-06-01). ""The difference is in the tomato at the end": Understanding the motivations and practices of cannabis growers operating within Belgian Cannabis Social Clubs". International Journal of Drug Policy. 56: 21–29. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.02.016. ISSN 0955-3959. PMID 29539581. S2CID 3915415.
  7. ↑ Belackova, Vendula; Wilkins, Chris (2018-04-01). "Consumer agency in cannabis supply – Exploring auto-regulatory documents of the cannabis social clubs in Spain". International Journal of Drug Policy. 54: 26–34. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.018. ISSN 0955-3959. PMID 29367012.
  8. ↑ Jansseune, Laurent; Pardal, Mafalda; Decorte, Tom; Parés Franquero, Òscar (2019). "Revisiting the Birthplace of the Cannabis Social Club Model and the Role Played by Cannabis Social Club Federations". Journal of Drug Issues. 49 (2): 338–354. doi:10.1177/0022042618815690. ISSN 0022-0426. S2CID 81294133.
  9. ↑ Parés-Franquero, Òscar; Jubert-Cortiella, Xavier; Olivares-Gálvez, Sergi; Díaz-Castellano, Albert; Jiménez-Garrido, Daniel F.; Bouso, José Carlos (2019). "Use and Habits of the Protagonists of the Story: Cannabis Social Clubs in Barcelona". Journal of Drug Issues. 49 (4): 607–624. doi:10.1177/0022042619852780. ISSN 0022-0426. S2CID 196548453.
  10. ↑ Queirolo, Rosario; Boidi, Maria Fernanda; Cruz, José Miguel (2016-08-01). "Cannabis clubs in Uruguay: The challenges of regulation". International Journal of Drug Policy. 34: 41–48. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.05.015. ISSN 0955-3959. PMID 27475713.
  11. ↑ Belackova, Vendula (2020). ""The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Weed": How Consumers in Four Different Policy Settings Define the Quality of Illicit Cannabis". Contemporary Drug Problems. 47 (1): 43–62. doi:10.1177/0091450919897658. ISSN 0091-4509. S2CID 213309158.
  12. ↑ Decorte, Tom; Pardal, Mafalda (2020), "Insights for the design of Cannabis Social Club regulation", Legalizing Cannabis, pp. 409–426, doi:10.4324/9780429427794-24, ISBN 9780429427794, S2CID 213711695, retrieved 2022-07-03
  13. ↑ Pardal, Mafalda; Decorte, Tom; Bone, Melissa; Parés, Òscar; Johansson, Julia (2020-07-18). "Mapping Cannabis Social Clubs in Europe". European Journal of Criminology. 19 (5): 1016–1039. doi:10.1177/1477370820941392. ISSN 1477-3708. S2CID 225626208.
  14. 1 2 "Innovation Born of Necessity: Pioneering Drug Policy in Catalonia". www.opensocietyfoundations.org. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  15. ↑ Martínez Oró, David Pere (2018-09-18). "Las oportunidades económicas de la legalización del cannabis". Revista Cáñamo (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  16. ↑ Ghehiouèche, Farid; Riboulet-Zemouli, Kenzi (2021). Demain, les Cannabis Social Clubs: Innovation sociale, modèle d'économie solidaire, et garde-fous sanitaire pour la régulation du cannabis en France. FAAAT.
  17. ↑ "Marijuana History". Narconon International.
  18. ↑ "Marijuana Dictionary". Concept420. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  19. ↑ Maisto, Stephen A.; Galizio, Mark; Connors, Gerard J. (January 2014). Drug Use and Abuse. Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781285455518.
  20. ↑ "I'm Feeling High and Happy - Gene Krupa and his Orchestra (1938)". Herb Museum. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  21. ↑ "What is ENCOD ? - Encod.org". Archived from the original on 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  22. ↑ "WHAT IS A CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUB?". ENCOD. 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  23. ↑ Riboulet-Zemouli, Kenzi (2021-05-01). "Sustainable Cannabis Policy Toolkit". Rochester, NY. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3849036. S2CID 235195438. SSRN 3849036. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ↑ ConFAC (2020). Informe macroeconómico: fiscalidad de las asociaciones de personas consumidoras de cannabis (in European Spanish). Madrid: ConFAC.
  25. ↑ Drugs, Crime, and Justice: Contemporary Perspectives, Third Edition, p. 534, Larry K. Gaines, Janine Kremling, Waveland Press, 11.12.2013
  26. ↑ Code of Conduct for EU Cannabis Social Clubs, December 2011
  27. 1 2 ENCOD (2020). A regulatory model for cannabis access: Guidelines, European Cannabis Social Club. Antwerp: ENCOD.
  28. 1 2 3 Junta Nacional de Drogas (2019). REGULATION AND CONTROL OF CANNABIS MARKET: LAW 19.172 & DECREES (PDF). Montevideo: Presidencia de la República, Uruguay. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  29. 1 2 3 Parliament of Malta (2021). A Bill entitled "An act to establish the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis and to amend various laws relating to certain cannabis activities" (PDF). Valletta: Parliament of Malta.
  30. ↑ "Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Bill". Parliament of Malta. 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  31. ↑ "Cannabis associations should be 'safe spaces', NGOs propose". Times of Malta. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  32. ↑ "How and why do I open a Dagga Private Club?". Fields of Green for ALL. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  33. ↑ FOPH, Federal Office of Public Health. "FAQs on cannabis pilot trials". www.bag.admin.ch. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  34. 1 2 FOPH, Federal Office of Public Health. "Pilot trials with cannabis". www.bag.admin.ch. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  35. ↑ "Addiction: Premier essai pour du cannabis récréatif en Suisse". Le Matin (in French). 2022-04-19. ISSN 1018-3736. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  36. ↑ "Cannabis légal à Lausanne – Les clients de la Ville jouiront d'une forme d'impunité". Tribune de Genève (in French). 10 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  37. ↑ Neuchâtel, www rtn ch, RTN, Radio Télévision (14 September 2021). "Vente contrôlée de cannabis à Zurich dès l'automne prochain". www.rtn.ch (in Swiss French). Retrieved 2022-07-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ↑ Hanf Journal: Die Eastside Growers: Handeln, nicht quatschen, 1.3.2011
  39. ↑ B, Daria (2023-05-07). "Occurring Cannabis Social Clubs in Germany". CannabizEU. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  40. ↑ "'Cannabis clubs' set for four Swiss cities - The Local". The Local Switzerland. Thelocal.ch. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  41. ↑ ORF Salzburg: Marihuana: Club fordert Legalisierung, 14.05.2014
  42. ↑ Hanf Journal: Freispruch für „Trekt Uw Plant“, 15. March 2010
  43. ↑ VOC Nederland: Primeur: kijkje in eerste Nederlandse Cannabis Social Club, Tree of Life Amsterdam, 27.10.2014
  44. ↑ Medijuana Magazin: "Dem Ganja verdanke ich mein Leben", 5. Februar 2014
  45. ↑ Hanf Journal: Spanien: Gerichtsverfahren gegen Cannabis-Anbau-Clubs eingestellt! Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine 13. Decembre 2006
  46. ↑ "Where to Find Cannabis Clubs in Barcelona - Weed Map". CannabisBarcelona. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  47. ↑ "This unusual Colorado marijuana club is one of the few spots where you won't get busted for lighting up". Archived from the original on 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  48. ↑ "Inside a Colorado Pot Club". CBS News.
  49. ↑ "Madeline Martinez of the World Famous Cannabis Cafe". Oregon Live. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24.
  50. ↑ "SB236 Text".
  51. ↑ "DC Bans Private Marijuana Clubs, Making Legalization Even Murkier". Washingtonian.
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