In Catalonia, Parliament recognizes the public utility of Cannabis Clubs

The Parliament of Catalonia has approved a draft resolution aimed at recognizing the Cannabis Social Club model and call for their inclusion in future drug and addiction strategies, reports the magazine Cañamo.

The resolution urges the Catalan government to implement a register of Cannabis Consumers Associations and other measures to monitor and involve these social harm reduction entities in drug policy decisions, and to integrate them into the Catalan administration.

The measure - which was passed with the support of all parliamentary groups except Vox - was put forward by the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, Junts per Catalunya, En Comú Podem and CUP parties.

The draft resolution urges the provincial government to implement 12 recommendations, including - in addition to those already mentioned - the creation of a technical commission within the Ministry of Health, made up of members of associations and professionals involved in addiction prevention and treatment, and the promotion of legislative changes at state and regional level to guarantee safe access to cannabis.

The proposed resolution was promoted by the Federation of cannabis users' associations (CatFac) which, in a press release, called the measure «a courageous small step» that «recognizes the model of user associations as a key element in the development of efficient and truly effective prevention and risk minimization strategies».

Comunicado de prensa

Un nuevo reconocimiento en Cataluña del modelo de Clubs Sociales de Cannabis como estrategia de prevención y reducción de riesgos. pic.twitter.com/HAScgXJfGN

- CatFAC (@Cat_FAC) February 16, 2023

At federal level, a recent proposal to legalize cannabis failed to pass.