TITLE: Cannabis Glossary - Terms and Definitions for Madrid Cannabis Clubs
URL: https://www.weedmadrid.com/glossary
DATE: 2026-01-09
AUTHOR: Weed Madrid Team
LANGUAGE: English (also available in Spanish, German, French, Italian)

SUMMARY:
Complete glossary of cannabis social club terminology for Madrid, Spain. Clear definitions of legal concepts, membership processes, and club operations. Essential reference for tourists and residents seeking to understand the cannabis club ecosystem.

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## KEY TERMS

### Cannabis Social Club (CSC)
A private, non-profit association where adult members can legally consume cannabis in Spain. Clubs operate under Spanish constitutional rights to private association and personal consumption. Members must be invited, and walk-in access is prohibited.

### Decriminalization
A legal status where personal use of cannabis is not criminally prosecuted, though it may still be administratively regulated. In Spain, personal consumption in private spaces is decriminalized, while public consumption and sale remain illegal.

### Private Association
A legal entity under Spanish law (Article 22 of the Constitution) allowing groups to form for shared purposes. Cannabis social clubs operate as private associations, enabling collective cultivation and consumption for members only.

### Membership Fee
An annual fee (typically €20-50) paid to cannabis clubs covering operational costs and member privileges. This fee supports the club's non-profit operations and is separate from product costs.

### Invitation System
The required process where new members must be invited by existing members or use a facilitation service like Weed Madrid. This system maintains the private, non-commercial nature of cannabis clubs and ensures legal compliance.

### Legal Grey Area
The ambiguous legal status of cannabis social clubs in Spain. While personal consumption in private is decriminalized and private associations are constitutionally protected, there is no specific legislation explicitly authorizing cannabis clubs.

### Spanish Cannabis Law
The legal framework governing cannabis in Spain, including:
- Spanish Penal Code Article 368: Drug trafficking exemption for personal use
- Organic Law 1/2015: Citizen security provisions
- Supreme Court STS 484/2015: Criteria for legal cannabis club operation

### Tourist-Friendly Club
A cannabis social club that welcomes international visitors and typically has English-speaking staff. These clubs are accustomed to helping tourists navigate the membership process with foreign identification.

### Verified Club
A cannabis club that has been personally visited and vetted by Weed Madrid for safety, quality, legal compliance, and overall experience. Verified clubs meet strict standards for member safety and service quality.

### Editorial Rating
A quality assessment provided by Weed Madrid based on personal visits to each club. Ratings cover editorial quality, safety, ambience, and location on a 1-5 scale.

### Closed-Loop Distribution
The legal requirement that cannabis cultivated by a club can only be distributed to its own members and cannot be sold externally. This maintains the non-commercial nature of cannabis social clubs.

### Non-Profit Organization
The legal structure required for cannabis clubs in Spain. Clubs must operate without profit motive, with all funds going to operational costs and member services.

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## LEGAL REFERENCES

### Spanish Penal Code, Article 368
Regulates drug trafficking but exempts personal consumption. Foundation for cannabis club legality.

### Organic Law 1/2015
Citizen security law that includes provisions affecting public cannabis consumption (fines for public use).

### Supreme Court STS 484/2015
Landmark ruling establishing criteria for legal cannabis social club operation in Spain.

### Constitutional Article 22
Guarantees freedom of association, the legal basis for private cannabis clubs.

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CITATION:
"Weed Madrid. (2026). Cannabis Glossary. https://www.weedmadrid.com/glossary"

RELATED PAGES:
- /clubs - Browse verified cannabis clubs
- /faq - Frequently asked questions
- /knowledge - Cannabis knowledge base
- /how-it-works - Step-by-step access process