UK Cannabis Social Clubs: The Q+A Session
Did you know that there are currently over 60 Cannabis Social Clubs operating in the UK? It's time you guys found out what they're all about, so we sat down for a chat with Al from Merseyside Cannabis Supporters and Rob from Glasgow Cannabis Social Club. Here's what they had to say...
Did you know that there are currently over 60 Cannabis Social Clubs operating in the UK? It's time you guys found out what they're all about, so we sat down for a chat with Al from Merseyside Cannabis Supporters and Rob from Glasgow Cannabis Social Club. Here's what they had to say...
Did you know that there are currently over 60 Cannabis Social Clubs operating in the UK? It’s time you guys found out what they’re all about, so we sat down for a chat with Al from Merseyside Cannabis Supporters and Rob from Glasgow Cannabis Social Club. Here’s what they had to say…
SSUK: Firstly guys, thanks very much for taking part in this interview. Please tell us a bit about your club.
Al: Merseyside Cannabis Supporters founded January 2012. At the time of this interview we have 57 members of our physical club (membership has only been open a little over a week). If you get back to us later in the year, I’m sure the numbers will be much greater.
Rob is a representative from Glasgow CSC
Rob: We have a core group within Glasgow of around 10 people and an ever increasing following of supporters who stay connected through social media.
What does cannabis mean to you?
Al: We believe cannabis is an aid to wellness and we should all have the right enjoy the benefits of this wonderful plant, regardless of your reason for using it. The cannabis plant has so many benefits, but not just to our health and wellbeing it goes much further than that. Hemp fabric lasts up to 5x longer than cotton, bio ethanol can be produced from the “waste” products to produce fuel, the list is almost endless.
I started smoking cannabis as a teenager it was a way to relax while still keeping my inhibitions intact! It was also, in my opinion (and sciences), the safer alternative to alcohol. I also recently got into vaping a lot too and we have the use of a volcano at our club nights (which was kindly donated by Storz and Bickel).
Rob: Agreed, our club advocates a ‘toke pure’ approach and promotes the use of vaporisers as part of our harm reduction message.
Al is a representative fromMerseyside Cannabis Supporters
So, for readers that may not know, what is a Cannabis Social Club?
Al: Our Cannabis Social Club is essentially a collective of growers and consumers who produce cannabis for their own use, in a controlled environment, free from any criminal elements or black market influence. As members of a CSC it entitles you to quality cannabis, grown to full maturity, flushed, etc. So, you know where your cannabis comes from and that it is a quality product that you are receiving. With the law how it is now, cannabis consumers have no real control over quality and a lot of people don’t even know where their cannabis is from; this also leaves cannabis consumers open to unscrupulous dealers who will add contaminants to the cannabis in order to add more weight or, in some cases, they are even adding harder drugs such as opiates.
Rob: Cannabis Social Clubs are set up to protect the rights of cannabis consumers and producers. We push for cannabis policies that benefit society as a whole. We also provide a platform for people to talk about all aspects of cannabis. Our ultimate goal is to organise the cultivation of a limited amount of cannabis to satisfy their personal needs. Thus a closed circuit is established between producers and consumers, where certain requirements are met concerning health, safety, transparency and accountability.
Tell us a bit about your members. Is there a ‘typical’ type of member?
Al: Our club is a real melting pot so there is no typical member, we have a very diverse group with people from all walks of life. There are no typical cannabis consumers and this is reflected in our members. Our club is really a great place to go as a cannabis consumer in the UK as you get the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends as well as some real legends of cannabis activism too… and I don’t mean us at MCS, haha.
A Glasgow CSC meeting
Rob: Our members come from a range of diverse backgrounds. Cannabis consumers are everywhere and the stereotypical “stoner” does not exist.
What sort of activities do you organise for members and how often do they take place?
Al: We provide a safe environment for people to come and enjoy cannabis, our club has just started to open its’ doors more regularly as of late. In the previous 12 months we have been organising an event once a month or so, we also held a 12 hour party for 420 with lots of fun games and prizes to be won. At the moment our club is open 3-4 days a week depending on demand. I must stress though; we do not sell cannabis or facilitate the sale or purchase of cannabis. This is obviously due to the illegal nature. However, when legislation allows, it will be a completely different matter.
Rob: We hold meet and greets every 3rd Wednesday so people can drop by, chat and find out what we are up to. As well as private gatherings we hold public events, including movie nights and local social events. We also encourage our members to participate in wider national events and keep spreading the word.
How can our readers join their local club?
Al: Contact your local clubs when they are having a public meeting or if there is an event, if they currently have a membership in place they will be able to sign you up, I’m sure.
Rob: Simply come and speak with us at a meeting.
Does it cost to join?
Al: The membership fee for our club is currently £10 for 12 months membership and this entitles you to 50% off the entry fee which is £5 (£2.50 for members), however any non-member must be accompanied by a current member and you can only bring a maximum of 4 guests.
Rob: We do not charge a membership at this stage. We hope to have a supporter’s package early this year.
Can members remain anonymous?
Al: We require initials and date of birth for our club records, this is so we can confirm who members are, as well as ensure there are no under 18’s attending.
Rob: They can to other members if they wish, but not to the committee - we would like to know who you are.
Ultimately, what is the main aim of the club?
Al: Ultimately the aim of our club is to gain the right to safe access and to open a fully functioning CSC where we can provide quality cannabis with full quality controls in place to ensure the cannabis meets the highest of standards.
Rob: Put simply; not for profit supply and regulation.
Do your members discuss growing techniques at meetings?Do you advise them on growing?
Al: Any discussions that we have about growing between our members are either for self-sustainable growing of vegetables at home or hypothetical situations where legislation would allow the cultivation of cannabis.
Rob: We have an extensive collective knowledge between us and the wider community. Questions rarely go unanswered.
Do you think it would work in the UK if we adopted the Belgian policy where each citizen is permitted to grow 1 plant?
Al: I don’t agree with any limitations on amounts people can grow or consume, it’s like a step forward and 2 steps backwards.
Rob: This seems a very modest starting point, but could be reasonable. For example, 24 people for a social club to grow 1 plant each = 24 plants. This is a start, however, it may not satisfy medical requirements or heavy consumers.
Would you like to see the Spanish-style Social Club model adopted in the UK?
Al: The Spanish style CSC model would be great to bring over here and we are actively campaigning for a system where legislation allows it, it’s a shame we can’t bring the weather too.
Rob: This is exactly what we are aiming towards - working for the benefit of members. If only our government were like the Spanish in that respect, what we do behind closed doors is our own business.
What do you guys think of the situation now in Colorado, where recreational consumption has been legalised?
Al: I think it is fantastic now that Colorado has legalised recreational consumption, hopefully this will lead the way to a more sensible worldwide drug policy.
Rob: This is obviously welcomed and a fantastic development, however, as a not for profit collective we have concerns about the commercialisation of cannabis and path Colorado has decided to take. Only time will tell.
And how about Uruguay where the government has legalised Cannabis in order to move money and power away from drug cartels?
Al: While I think it is great Uruguay have taken really progressive action in tackling their drug problem, the THC content is really low and the amount you are allowed per month is not suitable for some medicinal consumers. When we attended the “foro de Cannabis internacional II” in Irun recently, there was a representative from Uruguay speaking about how if you require more than the limit they have set; you would be treated as if you have a medical problem or an addiction. This is a ridiculous policy to adopt, as many medicinal patients or just people who enjoy concentrates would easily exceed the monthly limit.
Rob: Again, a welcomed development and absolutely a step in the right direction. Although state controlled, it is a pragmatic decision which takes away profits from the drug cartels and allows the production and sale to be regulated. As this system allows for cannabis social clubs, we are fully behind Uruguay in making this brave decision.
Which do you think resonates more in the UK; legislating Cannabis for the medical and therapeutic benefits, or to lessen the cash flow going to organised crime?
Al: I believe they are both equally valid points and should be treated that way, cannabis is legal for medicinal use in the UK as long as it is produced by GW Pharmaceuticals and labelled “Sativex” this highlights the sheer hypocrisy of the cannabis policy in the UK. When cannabis based medicines are being produced here and shipped out to the rest of the world, not to mention the ridiculous price tag. Even though I could produce exactly the same product at home for less than £10 a bottle, if I were to do so, it would be illegal. There are also synthetic cannabinoid based medicines called “nabilone” which is also available in the UK.
It is also no secret the amount of money that criminals can make from cannabis and this is a reason why many organised gangs dominate the cannabis markets. Would it not be more sensible if this money went towards paying people’s wages, sustaining our communities and putting food on people’s table?
Rob: Hard to say. The vast majority of people would be disgusted at a medical patient being denied their medicine; however the government has successfully tricked people into believing that blanket prohibition is in the wider public interest. Although this is cruel and inhumane I think this, alongside developments in America and Uruguay, have shown there are better ways, particularly during these austere times. Public opinion is shifting and these arguments are probably equally valid and complementary.
Realistically, where do you believe the Cannabis laws will be in the UK in 5 years?
Al: I really have no idea; the UK drug laws as a whole are very draconian. Too many people stand to lose too much money if we adopted more sensible drug laws (and I don’t mean organised criminals, well maybe I do… but not the same kind).
Rob: Unfortunately we do not think statutes and acts will change, however, the law will hopefully be understood and applied correctly to allow for a sensible policy regarding cannabis. The interpretation of the Misuse of Drugs Act will change and decriminalisation is, in our view, inevitable.
And 10 years?
Al: I can only reiterate what I have said above, hopefully our government will have a more progressive attitude towards drug laws by then or (hopefully) we will have our freedom and our rights to safe access and we will be able to put this ridiculous thing called cannabis prohibition behind us.
Rob: If cannabis is not at least decriminalised by this time, with all the facts we have today, unless there is some massive global U-turn regarding cannabis law reform, then the people have lost and we are under control of a corrupt anti-science government. Get out while you still can!
Where can our readers get more information on clubs and the fight to legalise Cannabis?
Al: There are over 60 cannabis clubs in the UK operating physically and online. Do a google or Facebook search with cannabis club and your area and I’m sure you will get some results. Also check out @merseysidecs on twitter, www.facebook.com/merseysidecs and www.merseysidecannabissupporters.co.uk
Rob: If you are in Glasgow please check out our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/420truthglasgow and twitter @GCSClub. Join the conversation.
Keep up to date with what is happening around the UK cannabis club scene at http://ukcsc.co.uk/
Become part of the movement, join your local club, join national cannabis reform organisations, it does not matter what you do or who you do it with, just do something!
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