Cannabis clubs can be divided into two groups in terms of their legal status, and for both of them this is a valid question.
Cannabis clubs in Spain are run by different cannabis associations, which use the rights of self-growing, i.e. the rights of individuals to grow their own cannabis plant, to produce the raw materials.
The clubs’ trick to get weed
In Spain, it is not a crime for a citizen to grow his or her own cannabis plant, only to cultivate cannabis for a third party or for profit. However, a club can grow its own plant for its members.
By registering, the club member ultimately entrusts the club with the growing of his or her own plant, thus transferring his or her ‘quota’ to the club. At the club’s premises, the member can consume the weed produced from his or her plant. The member is required to make donations to the club association for the maintenance of the premises and for providing a pleasant environment.
It is okay to still have questions after reading this!
The lawmakers themselves recognise that there is a lack of coherence in this area, that there are many loopholes, and that the whole legal environment, according to critics of the rules, makes the ‘industry’ a grey area, giving every club the chance to become a place of shady economic activity and social unreliability.
Some of the risks are already evident, with an increasing number of frauds, much talked about on this site, attributable to provisions that seem incoherent in some details.
I am confident that the rules will soon become clear. In the meantime, it is important to check the authenticity of clubs in person before registering. It is equally important to follow the advice collected on this page to avoid unpleasant experiences or other legal problems related to weed consumption.