Academic Journal
A decade of regulated Cannabis Social Clubs in Uruguay: five key developments and challenges ahead.
| Title: | A decade of regulated Cannabis Social Clubs in Uruguay: five key developments and challenges ahead. |
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| Authors: | Pardal M; RAND Europe, Belgium., Queirolo R; Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay., Repetto L; Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay., Rychert M; SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, New Zealand. Electronic address: m.rychert@massey.ac.nz. |
| Source: | The International journal on drug policy [Int J Drug Policy] 2026 May; Vol. 151, pp. 105213. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 28. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 9014759 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-4758 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09553959 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Drug Policy Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 1998- : Amsterdam ; New York : Elsevier Original Publication: Liverpool, England : International Journal on Drug Policy |
| MeSH Terms: | Drug and Narcotic Control*/legislation & jurisprudence , Marijuana Use*/legislation & jurisprudence , Cannabis*, Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence ; Uruguay ; Humans ; Legislation, Drug ; Social Group ; Pharmacies |
| Abstract: | Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) have been regulated in Uruguay for over a decade, and the first registered CSC opened in Montevideo in 2015. This commentary discusses how the CSC model fared vis-à-vis increasing legal supply of recreational cannabis products in pharmacies. We identify five key developments, drawing on latest administrative data and fieldwork conducted in Uruguay. First, the number of CSCs and their registered members has steadily increased, reflecting both sustained demand and institutional stability. Second, while CSCs remain concentrated in Montevideo and the coastal region, their geographical presence has expanded, and they now operate in every Uruguayan province. Third, most CSCs have shown remarkable longevity, with relatively few closures -suggesting the stability of the model over time. Fourth, CSCs have played a consistent and significant role in the volume of cannabis distributed legally in the country, often approaching or even surpassing the cannabis volume sold in pharmacies. And fifth, although accessing cannabis through CSCs tends to be more expensive than through pharmacies, their product diversity and cultivation practices continue to attract members, reinforcing their position within the legal supply ecosystem. We reflect on possible challenges for CSC development, including the co-existence of different types of CSCs, their relationship with other legal market operators (such as pharmacies), as well as the eventual entry into medical cannabis supply. (Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Marta Rychert reports financial support was provided by Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Uruguay; cannabis; cannabis legalisation; cannabis social club; marijuana; not-for-profit |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260228 Date Completed: 20260709 Latest Revision: 20260709 |
| Update Code: | 20260711 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105213 |
| PMID: | 41762936 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1873-4758 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105213 |