The Basque Government is making progress in regulating marijuana
The Basque government's approval of the Law on Addictions includes a specific section that regulates and recognizes marijuana social clubs; among other things, this law also prohibits smoking in stadiums and restricts the sale of bottles of alcohol at night.
Judges acknowledged the existence of marijuana clubs but noted the lack of an administrative framework for this reality, and now the Law on Addictions addresses this issue.
The Basque Cannabis Federation (EUSFAC) is pleased with the approval of this law and its lawyer and spokesperson, Aitor Brion, states that they now have 'legal backing'.
Until now, court rulings concerning marijuana clubs have acquitted them and recognized their rights. However, the Supreme Court maintains that there are no current regulations, and this law resolves that argument. Although, according to Brion, "it's a bit ambiguous, but it's the recognition the associations needed in court.".
According to Alfonso Alonso, Minister of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations is analyzing whether this law complies with its jurisdiction. If it does not, the Government would file an appeal with the Constitutional Court, as it did with the law proposed by Navarre. However, Brion points out that "you can't appeal something that hasn't been enacted" and states that, according to information from national platforms, "the majority of members of Parliament are not in favor of legalizing cannabis, but they are in favor of regulating cannabis social clubs.".
Fountain: The Confidential