Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175 Author: Ashifa Kassam Page: 22 CATALONIA PLANS STRICTER RULES ON CANNABIS CLUBS Madrid - Catalonia's public health agency has proposed strict new measures to regulate cannabis clubs in the region amid claims that Barcelona is on its way to rivalling Amsterdam as a smokers' haven. Amsterdam has tightened restrictions on cannabis sales just as the number of clubs in Spain has proliferated, from around 40 in 2010 to more than 700, say smokers' groups. The Catalan capital is home to more than half of these clubs. From swanky clubs to others with a small room and a few chairs, the clubs take advantage of a provision in Spain's drug laws that allows marijuana to be grown and consumed by private users. The clause has turned Spain - especially Barcelona - into what the media call the "Holland of the south". But unlike Amsterdam's coffee shops, which are open to the public, Spain's clubs are for members only. Skirting the membership policy is fairly easy; while many clubs require new members to be sponsored by existing ones, a number allow prospective members to register online or by phone. Some have employees who hand out promotional flyers in the street, promising to ease the registration process. The past two years have seen hundreds of clubs spring up in Barcelona, creating a thriving industry. Catalonia's cannabis clubs now have around 165,000 members, racking up an estimated euro5m (UKP4m) in sales each month, according to El Pais. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom