Difference Between Cannabis Club and Coffee Shop

In Spain, many people confuse cannabis clubs with the famous Dutch coffee shops, but they are quite different. Cannabis clubs are private, non-profit associations where only registered members can consume cannabis in a closed and safe environment. On the other hand, coffee shops, popular in the Netherlands, are commercial establishments that sell cannabis directly to customers, something that is prohibited in Spain.

– Legal and Structural Differences

The main difference between a cannabis club and a coffee shop lies in legality and operation. In Spain, cannabis clubs operate in a legal gray area, where members share production for private consumption without commercial purposes. Meanwhile, Dutch coffee shops are regulated and can sell cannabis to any adult, operating as government-licensed businesses.

– Membership and Access

While in coffee shops anyone can enter and buy cannabis, cannabis clubs require a membership process, which includes an invitation, payment of an annual fee, and registration as a member. This restriction prevents tourists from easily purchasing cannabis in Spain, unlike in the Netherlands, where access is simpler and more commercial.

– User Experience

Cannabis clubs offer a more community-oriented and private environment, focused on social consumption among regular members. In contrast, coffee shops have a more tourist-friendly and commercial profile, where anyone can buy and consume cannabis more freely.

– Social and Economic Impact

Coffee shops are part of the legal economy in the Netherlands, generating taxes and jobs related to the cannabis trade. Meanwhile, cannabis clubs follow a non-commercial model focused on self-consumption among members, making them less profitable and more discreet within society.

– Conclusión

Although both models are linked to cannabis consumption, the differences between cannabis clubs and coffee shops are fundamental. In Spain, clubs operate privately and with restrictions, while in the Netherlands, coffee shops allow more open and commercial access to cannabis. If you are in Spain, remember that to consume legally, you must become a member of a cannabis club.