In Barcelona, grass is felt at every step. But is smoking allowed? We explain.
You often ask us on your travels what it’s like to smoke weed in Spain. The short answer to the question in the title is “no”. And if not that’s why, then why is grass in the air at every turn in Barcelona? This is a slightly more complex matter.
Spanish law is designed in such a way that it is not particularly interested in what you do at home. The right to privacy is one of the most important issues here. So while marijuana is officially illegal, you can have it in your home without facing any consequences. In addition to just owning and smoking , you can also grow plants completely freely , as long as you don’t see them from the outside – then you can get a ticket.
In addition, you can only grow for your own use , selling is punishable and, as in Poland, you can go to jail.
Coffee Houses
In Spain, coffee shops do not operate in the form of an open store, like the Netherlands, where everyone can go. Cannabis Clubs is a private club. In order to join such a club at all, you must first become a member (socio), sign a declaration of membership and pay an annual fee, usually around 10-20 euros. For example, you will not find Nectar club Barcelona by sign or advertisement, because any advertisement is prohibited.
By law, the interior of such a private club is also not a public space, and if the socions do not gather to mock little puppies to serve black masses on them, the police do not mind. Thanks to this structure, the area of the social club is actually a private space, to which only selected people have access.
Of course, in many places in the city, especially on the Ramblas, you will meet all kinds of beaters who, with the classic question , Smoke weed, my friend? they will recommend you visit one of the clubs they partner with. Then you can immediately complete the formalities, become a sociologist and use the club’s shares.
Remember, however, that the Socio does not come to buy anything, because it is illegal to sell it just to take your share of the plants that the club grows on its behalf. This is another legal freak that allows social clubs to function , and that this is good business is evidenced by the fact that in a few years the number of such places in Barcelona has tripled.
What About Outside The Apartment Or Club Fumar ?
Possession in a public place is still illegal, although not punished in small amounts. In practice, this means that when the police catch you, you will receive a fine (up to 600+ euros), but you will not go to jail. However, for something like this to happen, you will have to try hard, because the Spanish police know that in a country where one in three smokes joints, sometimes you have to close your eyes.
