Cannabis prohibition is one of the most harmful public policies in modern human history. It’s a policy that has harmed countless lives directly and indirectly, and that harm lasts long after any initial charges or prosecutions occur. Thankfully, cannabis legalization is spreading across the globe, particularly in Europe.
At the end of last year, Europe witnessed its first country, Malta, passing an adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Multiple European countries are expected to legalize cannabis soon, possibly as early as this year. Those countries include Luxembourg, Germany, and Italy. The Netherlands and Switzerland are also pursuing legalization via pilot programs. Countries in other parts of the world, such as Thailand, Israel, South Africa, and Mexico, are also expected to pass and implement legalization measures soon.
Every country that has legalized nationwide so far did so using a legalization model that differs from the rest. Going forward, as more countries legalize cannabis for adult use, which model will they copy? Or will they each go in an entirely new direction?
Current Legalization Models
As it stands right now, only three countries have legalized cannabis for adult use on a national level – Uruguay, Canada, and Malta. Canada has the most comprehensive legalization model in that it includes storefronts, delivery services, and other ways for any person of legal age to acquire cannabis. Uruguay historically limited pharmacy and club sales to residents only, although that is changing. When Malta implements its model, it will only involve clubs as a means for people to acquire cannabis outside of cultivating it themselves or getting it gifted to them.
Malta’s model, and to a lesser extent Uruguay’s model, is not new. Cannabis is still prohibited nationwide in Spain; however, the ‘club model’ is already thriving in many parts of the country, particularly Barcelona, where we will be holding the world’s largest cannabis superconference in March. This legalization model involves private clubs where people sign up for a membership to access cannabis sales through the club.
The club model differs from the long-established (yet also technically illegal) coffee shop model in Amsterdam, where no membership fee is required. The club model is likely to be a much more popular model for many countries compared to the Amsterdam model. Whether Spain ultimately gets the credit for helping pave the way or not, it certainly deserves that credit.
Will Spain Ever Officially Legalize Its Cannabis Clubs?
Spain’s cannabis club model is popular with international lawmakers because it lowers the barrier to entry into the cannabis industry and ensures local access to products. It’s a model that doesn’t involve as much bureaucratic structure and regulations. Compared to Canada’s legalization model, it’s a fast and straightforward way to implement a legalized industry.
With Malta pursuing a club-based legalization model and similar clubs already existing in Uruguay, more countries will likely include club provisions in their own legalization models. If so, and Spain continues to cling to failed prohibition policies, it will be a sad irony that other countries will legally implement Spain’s model before Spain makes their clubs officially legal.
Many lawmakers and regulators in Spain seem to be complacent because cannabis is decriminalized in Spain, cannabis is easy to acquire, and enforcement is limited in many parts of the country. After all, being a cannabis consumer in Spain is a good gig by many measures. However, wherever prohibition still exists, it can still harm people, so legalization is still needed in Spain, whether it is merely legalizing the very popular club model or adding to it.
The post What Is The Best Type Of Cannabis Legalization Model? appeared first on Skunk Magazine.
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