You may have heard about the term Cannabis Social Club before. In this article, ENCOD coordinator Joep Oomen explains what they are, what they do and how you can start one yourself.
Inspired by the model that was originally designed by cannabis activists in the Spanish regions of Catalonia and the Basque Country in the mid-nineties, Cannabis Social Clubs have been sprouting in several European countries recently. Besides being a real solution to the needs of the cannabis consumer, the CSC has become a simple and effective tool to inform and convey to the public, as well as authorities, that it is possible to put in place a simple, transparent and easily controllable system to produce and distribute cannabis.
CSC’s start from the premise that the worst consequence of drug prohibition has been the generation of an illegal market that is almost entirely based on economic motives, and a control structure that is almost solely based on immoral motives. That is, neither are really taking into account the interests of consumers and producers.
If we wish to replace this policy with one that is orientated towards the protection of the health and safety of consumers and producers then we will have to build an alternative from ground-up, with our own hands. Only this way, can we prevent others from taking advantage of the space that is created when the days of prohibition come to an end, and establishment of another monopoly: the profit driven commercial model.
We have seen how in Spain since 2006, when Pannagh was acquitted in Bilbao, clubs have sprung up like mushrooms and how this success has attracted people and interest groups that are not on the side of consumers. So the authorities have decided to intervene and so far, it seems that at least the regional parliament of Catalonia and the Basque Country will soon present a proposal for a final law to regulate the CSCs.
Read the full story at thestonedsociety.com
