FOR THE RECOGNITION OF A MODEL BASED ON (AMONG OTHERS) SOLIDARITY AND SELF MANAGEMENT

1 September 2014

The failure of drug policy in the world is now recognized by many people. Experiments have started in all countries where the use of cannabis is not criminalized.

In the Netherlands, where coffeeshops never got to solve the problem of the “back door” (back door) through which cannabis enters without control. The product is sold at a high price without quality assurance.

In Uruguay recently a project has been proposed to produce and distribute through the state, which is cheaper than on the black market is proposed. The intention is good, of course, but now it seems the government wants to propose standard products that will be managed by companies like Monsanto.

In Spain hundreds of very different cannabis clubs have been established. Some work as a coffeeshop in Holland, with thousands of members. Others work more on the medical aspect, and others again put emphasis on risk reduction etc …

Each club has its profile, just like each member. Patients would rely more on standard pharmaceutical products while other more experienced users want different products (tincture, oil, pastels …) as well as different varieties: some fancy a sativa in the morning and an indica by night. That is perfectly manageable by a private club when the general assembly of the club decides on the annual work plan.

In our village, our small association is made up of very different people: women, men, youth, seniors, workers, unemployed, motivated by medical or recreational use.

The founding group decided that our association has two aspects: the club will be strictly private and develop a presence in the village. It must exist as an entity that belongs to the village and proposes free advice on medical, legal and technical issues (growing of cannabis for personal use) or risk reduction (eg courses to teach how to use vaporizers or prepare tincture or any other derivative). Obviously with the help of a doctor and a lawyer.

The quality control of plants is taken care of by the members, as well as the decision making process, such as the establishment of the price of annual fees or consumption levels (price pr. gram). This is the subject of discussions during public club meetings in the House of Cultural in the village.

From the beginning we have maintained good contacts with police and political authorities.

Today, the regulation of cannabis generates a huge surplus. Many clubs fall into a corrupt spiral. State and pharmaceutical industry see a gold mine in it. It turns out that this surplus has developed a toxic framework. On the level of our little village club we deleted this surplus.We are able to manage a private cultivation of high quality which is available to all.

The less money, the healthier the field.

Pepi Barea and Jean-Michel Rodriguez

CSC Grazalema, Spain

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