At Basque Cannabis Clubs Smoking Marijuana Will Be Permitted - But Not Tobacco

Early this week the Basque Country's health minister, Jon Darpón, presented a draft version of this Spanish region’s new "Law of Addictions", which will have to be discussed and approved in the autonomous community's Parliament.

One of the key new points is the regulation of cannabis clubs: legally registered, non-profit organizations in which any person of legal age may participate, under certain conditions.

The text states that it seeks to allow access to grass and its derivatives without people having to resort to the black market. These clubs' objectives will include collaboration with the government to prevent the use of cannabis and other substances. This is precisely one of the regulation’s contradictions.

The bill explains that marijuana smoking will be permitted in the clubs, but there is no provision for tobacco smoking. When asked about this the health minister responded, in no uncertain terms, that cigarette smoking will not be permitted at these establishments, and explained why. “From the scientific point of view the long-term effects of cannabis and tobacco are completely different,” according to Darpón.

It should be noted that Navarra has also just approved a law governing cannabis clubs, and that San Sebastián has also passed a measure to license these establishments. Although it has its contradictions, the new bill in the Basque Country distinguishes the autonomous community once again as a cannabis regulation pioneer.

Jordan Greentree | Creative Commons