A Complete Guide to Cannabis Regulations in Spain

If you're planning a trip to Spain and wondering about the country's cannabis rules, it's important to note that while the laws regarding cannabis use are somewhat relaxed, the situation is complicated. Although it is legal to smoke cannabis for personal use in private, selling cannabis is illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties.

As the use of cannabis and cannabinoids becomes more socially accepted and laws surrounding cannabis use continue to evolve around the world, the Spanish government has been grappling with the legal considerations surrounding cannabis use by both its citizens and visitors.

To navigate the rules and regulations surrounding cannabis use in Spain, it's important to take a closer look at the current state of affairs. While we'll delve into many of the specifics and laws, based on government reports and local sources, it's crucial to research the laws in your specific location to avoid any legal trouble.

If you're only visiting Spain for a short period of time, it may be best to avoid any complications that could arise from handling cannabis abroad. It's always wise to stay clear of any legal issues in a foreign country unless you have trustworthy local sources to guide you.

Is Cannabis Legal in Spain?

To clarify the legalities surrounding marijuana in Spain, it's important to note that selling cannabis is illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties. However, buying and selling paraphernalia, seeds, and other hemp products is legal.

Growing cannabis is legal as well, but it must be done on private property and out of public view. There is a limit of two plants per household for personal use.

Smoking cannabis in public places is illegal and can result in fines, jail time, and seizure of any cannabis in your possession. Smoking cannabis in private spaces is allowed.

Buying cannabis on the street or on the beach is illegal and can result in purchasing low-quality and potentially dangerous products. However, you can legally acquire cannabis by joining a members-only, private cannabis club.

Some important things to note about cannabis clubs in Spain:

1. Membership is required: To enter a cannabis club, you need to be a member or be invited by a member. To become a member, you usually need to provide some personal information and pay a membership fee.

2. Limited membership: Most cannabis clubs have a limited number of members, so you may need to plan ahead and make reservations if you want to visit a specific club.

3. No sales allowed: Cannabis clubs are not allowed to sell marijuana, but they can charge a membership fee or ask for donations to cover the costs of running the club.

4. Quality control: Cannabis clubs usually have strict quality control measures in place to ensure the safety and potency of the products they offer.

5. No smoking in public: Even if you are a member of a cannabis club, you cannot smoke marijuana in public places. Smoking is only allowed in the private space of the club.

Overall, cannabis laws in Spain can be complex, but with a bit of research and caution, you can enjoy cannabis in a safe and legal way. Just remember to always respect the local laws and customs, and avoid any behavior that may draw unwanted attention from law enforcement.

How do I Find a Cannabis Club?

Cannabis clubs, also known as cannabis social clubs or associations, are private establishments where members can consume and purchase cannabis in a legal and safe environment. If you are interested in visiting a cannabis club, it's important to do some research ahead of time since they are not allowed to advertise publicly due to the law of private consumption.

To find a cannabis club, you can start by asking locals, checking out tourist sites, or asking friends who may be familiar with the area. However, keep in mind that information about these establishments is not widely available, so it may take some effort to find one that suits your needs.

Cannabis clubs come in various sizes, themes, and qualities, and they often require membership to ensure their privacy. To become a member, you typically need to provide a valid ID and pay a fee. Once you are a member, you will have access to the club's selection of cannabis products, which can range from different strains of flowers to edibles and concentrates.

It's important to note that bringing your own cannabis to a club is generally not allowed, so be sure to enjoy the club's products responsibly and in accordance with their rules and regulations.

Who Knows You Have Attended a Cannabis Club?

Membership information and personal information should remain private and not accessible to the government or any other entities. This ensures that the system remains discreet and operates in a private space. However, it is important to note that as these clubs are private spaces, you are not allowed to take your products outside to public spaces such as beaches or other bars.

There may be restrictions on accessing cannabis clubs. Some clubs may only allow Spanish citizens, some may have an age restriction of 21, and some may require a referral from a current member. It is also important to note that these clubs are for recreational purposes only, and medical marijuana is still considered illegal.

It is highly advised not to take cannabis outside of these clubs as they usually have a limit on how much you can acquire in a day based on their estimate of what is sufficient for personal use. These limits vary from club to club.

The consumption amount, the age and legality of those with access, and being non-profit are the factors that keep these clubs out of trouble. If caught with cannabis outside of the club, it is important not to blame the club in order to keep it out of trouble.

Joining a cannabis club in Spain can be done in a few limited ways. One such way is through a current member's reference or sponsorship, which is a common requirement for joining. However, there are online organizations that can act as your reference to join the clubs.

It's important to note that you must still meet the legal requirements, such as age or citizenship. Once you apply at these online organizations, they will pair you with an eligible club, but you won't get to choose which one.

To set up an appointment for registration with the club, all you have to do is send an email to the website reference or "sponsor." Once the appointment is set up, you will receive a notification for the appointment with the eligible club.

Filling out the Paperwork

When you sign up for a cannabis club, you will be required to fill out membership forms, and it is important to confirm with the representatives that your information is not shared with any external sources or the government to maintain privacy and security.

During the registration process, you will need to provide government-issued identification, such as a passport or driver's license.

It is important not to provide your home address from your home country, as most places require a Spanish residential address. Typically, a local friend's address or Airbnb will be the best options, as hostel and hotel addresses are usually not accepted.

Lastly, you will be required to pay a membership fee, which is separate from the cost of purchasing cannabis. The membership fees range from 20 to 60 euros and are often required to be paid in cash.

A cannabis club in Spain is not a store or a bar where you can buy cannabis. It is a cooperative organization that shares cannabis among its members during private meetings. These clubs operate as non-profit organizations and are strictly regulated to remain so.

If any club is found to be making a profit from selling cannabis, it will be breaking the law.

When you pay a fee for cannabis at a club, it is not a purchase price. Rather, it is a fee for the cost of growing and maintaining the plant, as well as for maintaining the club's facility. This is important to understand because it reflects the cooperative nature of the club, and it helps to ensure the survival of the club.

What About CBD Use?

CBD-enriched products are generally legal in Spain, but there are some restrictions. While CBD is not a psychotropic substance and is allowed for cosmetic purposes, certain methods of ingestion, such as smoking, vaporizing, or aerosols, have been prohibited for human consumption. As a result, many places only offer topical options of CBD products, such as medicinal creams, balms, and oils.

If you are looking to legally consume CBD supplements or other consumables, you will have to import them from an EU country that allows the consumption of CBD. However, it is still a topic of debate whether it is legal to ship CBD consumables to Spain for personal use. While the sale or purchase of CBD consumables is not yet legal in Spain, many people take the risk of ordering online. Proceed at your own discretion

CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants that is not psychoactive. It is one of the major components of the cannabis plant and is known for its relaxing properties. CBD has been proposed for medicinal purposes and recent research has shown that it may help with anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain. CBD oil extract can be found in cannabis plants, with up to 40% being CBD out of the 113 other identified cannabinoids.

Unlike THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD will not make you feel high. This is why CBD is favored as a potential alternative to help in the medicinal aspect of the cannabis plant.

THC

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of the cannabis plant. When THC is consumed, it binds to certain areas of the brain responsible for thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time. The psychoactive component of the THC compound is thought to release dopamine, which creates euphoria. This can result in distortion of memory input, cause hallucination, and change the thinking process.

The State of Growing Ganja in Spain

As THC strongly binds to the receptors in the brain, the effects can last for several hours when consumed. It is also responsible for impairing motor skills and should be taken with caution and considered before conducting a motor task, such as driving.

Although importing or selling cannabis products is illegal in Spain, all other cannabis-related actions, besides selling or trading, are decriminalized. This means that while violating these laws may result in fines, you will not face imprisonment unless you are caught selling or trading. Despite the legal restrictions, Spain is considered one of the best places to cultivate marijuana due to its favorable climate and extensive experience in the industry. As a result, there are numerous illegal plantations across the country that produce marijuana, with some suggesting that the majority of the cannabis sold in other countries is grown in Spain. Landowners cannot profit from the sale of cannabis, but they can earn substantial amounts of money by providing land to those who grow it. Many in Spain eagerly anticipate the day when cannabis is legalized, as they have the land, experience, and climate to support a thriving industry. In fact, some growers believe that Spain could help resolve the current cannabis shortage. Spain also plays a significant role in the global cannabis seed market, with millions of euros worth of seeds being exported legally each year, representing around one-third of the global market.

What is the Political Landscape for Cannabis in Spain?

Only one political party in Spain, Podemos, supports the use of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Despite not being a cannabis user himself, party leader Pablo Iglesias is pushing for changes in the law to remove the stigma associated with the drug. He argues that smoking cannabis should be considered no different from drinking alcohol, and that legalizing the drug could provide a significant economic boost for the country.

Podemos believes that the legalization of cannabis could lead to a reduction in the black market and generate billions of euros in taxes and social security. They also argue that Spain has the potential to become a leader in the industry, thanks to the country's favourable climate, land, and experience in agriculture.

Currently, medical cannabis is not fully legalized throughout Spain, and different regions have their own laws and regulations. There are no government-backed medical marijuana programs, leaving many users to join cannabis clubs or break the law to obtain the drug. Despite this, cannabis research is a prominent topic in Spain, with pharmaceutical companies researching the benefits and risks of bringing new medicinal drugs into the country.

The regulation of medical cannabis is crucial to ensure patient safety and quality control. The potential for producers to violate safeguards and cut cannabis purity and quality could be harmful to patients and consumers. The scientific evidence produced by researchers and pharmacists will be used by the WHO and the government to make final decisions on the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Information on the general attitude toward cannabis, recreational cannabis, and medicinal cannabis in other neighboring countries around Spain:

Andorra

Andorra, a small country between France and Spain, prohibits the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis. Recreational cannabis is illegal.

Medicinal cannabis is illegal.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar, a British territory located on the southern coast of Spain, has strict laws against drug trafficking and possession. The possession, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis is illegal. Recreational cannabis is illegal.

Medicinal cannabis is legal with a prescription.

Andalusia, a Spanish region in southern Spain that shares a border with Gibraltar, has legalized the cultivation, distribution, and sale of cannabis-derived products for medicinal purposes.

France

Cannabis is illegal for recreational personal use in France. Much like its neighbors, cannabis is still one of the most popular illegal drugs. For medical purposes, a selection of cannabis-derived products is permitted. Recreational cannabis is illegal, completely. The possession of cannabis is punishable by a 200 euro fine. Medicinal cannabis is subject to certain cannabis-derived drugs.

Portugal

Portugal is a unique neighbor to Spain in the fact that Portugal has decriminalized all drugs as of 2001. Portugal has also accepted to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. Recreational cannabis is decriminalized up to 25 g of the herb, or 5 g of the hashish.

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Portugal.

The possession of cannabis is punishable by a 200 euro fine. Medicinal cannabis is subject to certain cannabis-derived drugs.

Morocco

Morocco is still the world’s top producers of hashish, but all drugs, including marijuana, is illegal since 1974. The cannabis plant is still cultivated well in Morocco, like its neighboring country, Spain. Recreational marijuana is illegal but may be unenforced.

Medicinal cannabis is illegal.

Netherlands

Even though the Netherlands is not quite a neighbor to Spain, we can’t leave out Amsterdam when speaking about cannabis and coffee shops. Recreational cannabis is illegal but use and sale are accepted at coffeeshops.

Personal possession of less than 5g is decriminalized. Medicinal cannabis is legal.

Italy

In Italy, medicinal and industrial uses of cannabis drugs are legal. It is highly regulated, though. Even licensed plantations are only restricted to certain seeds that have minimal levels of psychoactive compounds. Recreational cannabis is decriminalized.

Allowed for religious usage (e.g., Rastafarians for meditation) Cannabis with THC content below 0.6% is legal. Medicinal cannabis is legal; this includes consumptive cannabis.