It is a fact that legalizing cannabis in Spain may not be as easy as it seems. The Spanish government is following the lead of many other European nations and implementing a strict medical marijuana program is difficult, despite the growing popularity of cannabis products. But there’s a new hope for legalizing cannabis in Spain. Advocates consider COVID-19 as an opportunity to push for legalization.
Amid the crisis, Spain’s state authorities have banned cannabis clubs. The result has been widespread panic. The Catalan Federation of Cannabis Associations has said that the lockdown has led to 300,000 members resorting to illicit market sources. This sudden overnight dependency has unraveled decades of efforts to eliminate illicit market sales. In response to the panic, advocates have established Cannabis Barcelona, a “Wikipedia” of information for over 70 clubs.
The recent case of Kanavape has triggered a new wave of research on the drug. The group has submitted a parliamentary proposal calling for cannabis clubs to be considered essential services. Advocates claim that a solution is near. The situation has also heightened awareness of the risks of COVID-19, a disease which has killed thousands of people around the world.
Despite the new political climate in Europe, cannabis activists have high hopes for this year. After all, new lobby groups emerged in Brussels, and several countries were about to launch medical cannabis programs for 3,000 patients. Meanwhile, Luxembourg was to unveil a new recreational cannabis plan. Unfortunately, the coronavirus halted many of these plans and many foreign cannabis companies pulled out of the continent.
The lack of information makes it difficult to implement effective regulatory regimes. The presence of an illicit market will likely exacerbate the issue and continue to affect communities. It will also exacerbate the stigma that surrounds cannabis and may delegitimize the entire legalization experiment. As a result, advocates are weighing all available options and are assessing the effectiveness of each.
Aneka Yee is a student in the University of California, Davis. She majors in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and plans to pursue a career in medicine. She is interested in the social and economic marijuana news impact of cannabis and wants to focus on improving mental health resources. Outside of school, she enjoys rock climbing, baking, and reading. She plans to co-author a publication related to COVID-19.
As a result of the epidemic, Governor Cuomo has relaxed some restrictions regarding the use of cannabis in New York City. Despite the legalization of cannabis in Spain, this measure girl scout cookies seeds could be a good example of cannabis policy reform in the United States. Despite the risks, advocates hope it will prove to be an enabling tool in the fight against ICE.
While it remains unclear what the next steps for the legalization of cannabis in Spain are, the state has taken a big step forward. Two dispensaries have already been opened. One has temporarily closed and one is in the process of obtaining curbside pick up permits. The Spanish government is considering curbside delivery and drive-through options. Some pharmacies have revised their procedures to minimize in-person contact. Meanwhile, registry identification cards have been extended for 90 days.
The impact on the financial sector is significant, and the industry is prone to predation from investors. In addition, these businesses lack access to traditional banking. Additionally, they have trouble accessing federally insured loans. The high cost of operating cannabis businesses has a big impact on business operations, so the increased competition will benefit both the cannabis industry and banks. A lack of access to conventional banking is another factor to stall the legalization of cannabis.