Buying cannabis in Poblenou: the risks of buying on the street and how a local club works
Quick answer: in Poblenou, as in the rest of Spain, there is nowhere authorised to buy marijuana: there are no licensed shops or coffee shops and selling it is a crime. What does exist are cannabis social clubs, private associations of adults who share a grow and consume it inside the premises. At The High Class, at Carrer de Pujades, 147, only people aged 21 or over can become members.
Can you buy cannabis in Poblenou?
No. That is the first answer we give to anyone who writes to us asking where to buy in the neighbourhood, and it is worth understanding why. In Spain, private consumption by an adult is not a criminal offence, but the sale and trafficking of cannabis are, according to Article 368 of the Criminal Code. This means that nobody can sell you cannabis in Poblenou or in any other neighbourhood without committing a criminal offence, however professional the shopfront or website may look.
Added to this is Organic Law 4/2015 on the protection of public safety. Article 36.16 of this Act classifies the consumption and possession of cannabis on public roads or in public places as a serious offence, carrying fines of between 601 and 30,000 euros. Even if you are not the one selling it, simply carrying some on you in the street can result in a fine.
What happens when someone approaches you on the street or on Bogatell beach
Anyone who lives in the 22@ district or is staying near Bogatell knows this: in summer, on the promenade and on the beach, it’s not uncommon for someone to approach you with an offer. It seems like a quick fix, but it carries every possible risk:
- Scams: taking payment upfront and disappearing, or handing over something that isn't what they claim.
- Adulterated product: you don't know where it comes from, how it was grown or what it has been mixed with.
- Fines: possession in a public place, and the beach is one, falls under Organic Law 4/2015.
- Criminal risk: taking part in a street sale puts you on the wrong side of article 368.
- Uncomfortable situations: furtive exchanges, pressure to pay more or arguments with strangers.
If you are staying near the beach, we recommend reading whether you can smoke on the beach in Barcelona first: the short answer is no, and the sand is one of the places where the most fines are issued.
The alternative in the neighbourhood: joining a club
What is a cannabis social club?
A cannabis social club is a private, not-for-profit association made up of adults who already use cannabis. Members share a crop and consume it in a private space, without being visible on the street. There is no regional law regulating them: they operate within a framework established by case law, following the Constitutional Court’s 2018 ruling that annulled Catalan Law 13/2017. In Barcelona, moreover, the City Council regulates where they may be located through a municipal town planning scheme.
Entry requirements for The High Class
Our club is in Poblenou, in the Sant Martí district. To become a member, you need:
- Be 21 or over. This is our minimum age, higher than at other associations; we explain why in minimum age at a cannabis club in Barcelona.
- A valid identity document.
- An invitation or a recommendation from another member, in accordance with our internal rules.
- Agree to consume cannabis within the club and not take it out onto the street.
You'll find the full details in requirements to join an association in Barcelona.
What a club is not
A club isn’t just a shop by another name. We don’t serve just anyone who turns up; you don’t pay at the door to take something away, and you don’t leave with money in your pocket. If anyone promises you otherwise, be wary: that’s not a club.
Street or club: clear differences
| Appearance | Shopping on the high street or at the beach | Cannabis social club |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Sale: a criminal offence (section 368 of the Criminal Code) | Shared consumption amongst adult partners, in a private setting |
| Origin of the product | Unknown | The association’s shared garden |
| Where it is consumed | In public, at the risk of a fine | Inside the premises |
| Who has access | Anyone, regardless of age | Only members of legal age (21 at The High Class) |
A step-by-step guide to becoming a member
- Please ensure you are at least 21 years old and that you bring your identity document with you.
- Obtain an invitation or a recommendation from a member.
- Come to the club during opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11.00 to 22.30, and Friday and Saturday from 11.00 to 23.00.
- Please complete the application form and read the association’s rules.
- Once you have been admitted, please always consume your drink on the premises.
If you’re just passing through Poblenou
Many people who write to us are staying near the beach for a few days or come to work at an office in 22@. If that's you, bear two things in mind. First, the requirements are the same for everyone: age, ID and endorsement. Second, you cannot leave Spain with cannabis or take it on a plane, so don't keep anything aside for the journey home. For people living abroad we have a guide for foreigners with what you should know before coming.
Frequently asked questions
Is there anywhere in Poblenou where you can buy cannabis without being a member?
Not in a permitted manner. The sale of such items is a criminal offence throughout Spain. Any establishment that offers to sell to anyone who walks through the door is operating outside the framework within which these associations operate.
Can I become a member of The High Class if I’m 19?
No. Although the legal age of majority is 18, our association requires all members to be at least 21 years old.
What could happen to me if I’m caught with cannabis on Bogatell Beach?
Possession or consumption in a public place constitutes a serious offence under Organic Law 4/2015, carrying fines of between 601 and 30,000 euros.
Can I take anything from the club home with me?
No. Members undertake to consume cannabis within the club and not to take it out onto the street.
If you live, work or are staying in the neighbourhood and meet the requirements, find out how our membership works before coming to see us at Carrer de Pujades, 147.
