Colau prevents the closure of 112 cannabis clubs in Barcelona
The mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, along with her administration, has overturned the retroactive application of the plan to regulate cannabis associations, a measure inherited from the previous CiU government. This allows for amnesty for most of these associations and prevents their closure.
The old regulation plan set a minimum distance of 150 meters between cannabis clubs and premises frequented by minors (schools, libraries, etc.) or municipal facilities, and that meant the closure of 112 of the 123 clubs.
The new regulatory plan reduces the distance to 100 meters, except for Ciutat Vella and Gràcia (due to the density of clubs) and establishes that those who already have a municipal permit can stay where they are even if they do not exceed the established distance.
It will also be debated that cannabis associations should not exceed 200 square meters, without affecting clubs that already have a license and exceed that area.
From now on, all clubs, without exception, will be required to install a fireplace, have a separate entrance from the street, and a double door or a separating vestibule. The government will allow an 18-month period from the date the regulations come into effect for the necessary adaptations to the premises.
The CiU government decreed a suspension of new licenses on June 13, 2014, with the promise of drafting regulations. These regulations have yet to be drafted, and if the special urban development plan for the territorial organization of cannabis clubs and associations is not approved by June 13, 2016, the situation will revert to what it was before the license suspension.
Fountain: The Newspaper