An analysis of Belgian Cannabis Social Clubs’ supply practices: A shapeshifting model?

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are associations of cannabis users that collectively organize the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. As this middle ground supply model has been active in Belgium for over a decade, this paper aims to examine CSCs’ supply practices, noting any shifts from previously reported features of the model.

METHODS:

We draw on interviews with directors of seven currently active Belgian CSCs (n = 21) and their cannabisgrowers (n = 23). This data was complemented by additional fieldwork, as well as a review of CSCs’ key internal documents.

RESULTS:

Most Belgian CSCs are formally registered non-profit associations. One of the Belgian CSCs has developed a structure of sub-divisions and regional chapters. The Belgian CSCs supply cannabis to members only, and in some cases only medical users are admitted. CSCs rely on in-house growers, ensuring supply in a cooperative and closed-circuit way, despite changes to the distribution methods The associations are relatively small-scale and non-commercially driven. The introduction of formal quality control practices remains challenging.

DISCUSSION:

As the CSC model is often included in discussions about cannabis policy, but remains in most cases driven by self-regulatory efforts, it is important to take stock of how CSCs’ supply function has been implemented in practice – as doing so will improve our understanding of the model and of the wider range of cannabis ‘supply architectures’. This paper highlights the continuity and changes in CSC practices, noting the emergence of several different variants of the CSC model, which are classified in a first CSC typology.

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