Disgruntled shopkeepers in Barcelona’s old city are claiming that the area has been inundated with outlets selling cannabis paraphernalia. These shops have found a way to bypass stringent zoning regulations by registering themselves as florists. Over the past six years, there has been a significant increase in the number of these so-called “florists” in Ciutat Vella, the city’s oldest and most tourist-friendly district. In contrast, the rest of the city has seen a mere 21 new florists during the same period. Barcelona’s florists’ association denies any surge in flower sales, stating that the number of florists in the city has remained stable for years.
It is estimated that there are approximately 250 weed shops in Barcelona, offering items such as bongs, hookahs, cannabis seeds, and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) oil. CBD, a compound derived from marijuana plants, is legally sold in many countries for treating conditions like anxiety and insomnia. The World Health Organization has found no evidence of public health concerns associated with the use of pure CBD.
However, the Barna Centre, an association of shopkeepers in the city, alleges that these weed shops also sell edibles and other products with illegal concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. They claim that seemingly non-psychoactive CBD derivatives, like lollipops and brownies, contain as much as 150mg of THC, which can induce a high. The Barna Centre is urging local authorities to introduce a specific license for weed shops to prevent them from masquerading as florists. They argue that these shops, many of which have taken over premises previously occupied by businesses forced to close during the pandemic, tarnish Barcelona’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has renewed its efforts to crack down on the city’s 200 cannabis clubs, known as “asociaciónes.” These quasi-legal establishments allow members to purchase and consume cannabis on-site. A law enacted by the Catalan government in 2017 stipulated that the clubs could not operate for profit, only admit legal adults as members, and grow a maximum of 150kg of marijuana per year, with a monthly limit of 60 grams per member. However, authorities claim that many of these clubs are disregarding the law and selling cannabis to tourists.
As Barcelona increasingly becomes a favored destination for cannabis enthusiasts, often likened to Amsterdam, it has become commonplace for young visitors to stop pedestrians on the street, seeking directions to the nearest asociación.
