Uruguayan Cannabis Social Clubs: From activism to dispensaries?

Background: In 2013 Uruguay regulated three models for the supply of cannabis for recreational use (Law 19.172), including Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs). According to the Cannabis Regulation and Control Institute, 110 CSCs are active at the time of writing.

Objectives: This paper has a twofold goal. Firstly, it aims to take stock of how the CSC model has continued to be implemented in practice, drawing on the first-hand accounts of those involved in its management. Secondly, our analysis seeks to contribute to the understanding of the CSC model by considering the different variants of the model that have emerged in Uruguay.

Methodology: Our analysis draws on qualitative research conducted in Uruguay between June and October of 2018. We conducted 15 semi-structured and face-to-face interviews with representatives of registered Uruguayan CSCs and with 13 other stakeholders.

Results/conclusions: CSCs' role as cannabis suppliers is perceived positively in terms of the type of cannabis produced and the means of distribution. We found that truly social CSCs co-exist with, and may be losing ground to, quasi-dispensary clubs. A number of factors may have contributed to this, including the Uruguayan regulatory framework, institutional context, and disengagement of members and/or CSC managers. This raises potential new challenges as to the contribution of the CSC model from a harm reduction perspective.