Becoming a licensed cannabis grower in Spain isn’t straightforward
Here’s what you need to know before diving in on how to get a cannabis license in Spain: there currently is no clear path to becoming a licensed cannabis cultivator in Spain. This is surprising considering the country’s recent cannabis decriminalization measures. Spain is an ideal place to grow cannabis because of its natural climate and vast arable land. Currently, there are large numbers of illegal cannabis plantations in Spain. This illegal supply chain is used for export to other countries and is likely also supplying the numerous private cannabis clubs that do operate legally. The few companies that are licensed to grow cannabis in Spain do not supply domestic cannabis users and there is no national medical marijuana program. However, there is hope that lawmakers will make changes to Spain’s paradoxical cannabis policies in the near future. Continue reading for a comprehensive guide to help you become a licensed cannabis producer in Spain.
Overview of Cannabis Legality in Spain
Personal consumption of cannabis is legal as long as you consume cannabis in private, including at members-only non-profit cannabis clubs. You can buy and use cannabis at the clubs, and as of 2022, you are allowed to grow up to two plants per household as long as they are out of public view. If you get caught consuming cannabis in public, you can face legal consequences. Using cannabis in private is totally legal. Selling and trafficking cannabis is illegal and can lead to jail time and steep penalties. While most attitudes towards cannabis are lax in Spain, you still need to be careful.
How to Join a Cannabis Social Club in Spain
There are over 133 cannabis clubs located in Spain, according to this directory. So it’s generally easy to find a cannabis social club in Spain, especially in major cities and towns. However, even though the clubs are non-profits, potential members will still need to apply and be accepted.
The application process for most clubs is generally easy, applicants can apply online and get approved quickly. Most clubs will require an annual membership fee, to support the upkeep of the club, and support the local community through gatherings and events. Successful applicants pay an annual membership fee which ranges from €20 and €50 per year, and then they are issued a ‘private license’ which is non-transferable and non-saleable.
Medical Marijuana in Spain
Different regions of Spain have their own laws and regulations. However, medical marijuana is not legal and there are no government-backed medical marijuana programs in Spain [3]. Those interested in medical marijuana can access recreational cannabis by growing it themselves or going to a private cannabis club. Doctors are not involved though and are not likely to provide medical marijuana advice to directions for proper use. The Spanish government does have a strong interest in research. However, despite being one of the first European nations to decriminalize cannabis, progress towards medical or recreational cannabis has stalled at that point.
Defining Cannabis in Spain
There is no legal differentiation between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis in Spain [3]. Any cannabis with more than 0.2% THC is deemed marijuana. It is considered to be hemp if it has 0.2% THC or less. All cannabis that is not grown in private for personal use is illegal. It is not clear how private cannabis clubs are able to sell legal cannabis to members.
Licenced Cannabis Growers in Spain
There are very few licenced cannabis producers in Spain that are authorized to grow cannabis for medicinal use. This is likely because there is no medical marijuana program [1, 2]. Many companies produce cannabis for export. One of the latest to become authorized is Medical Plants SLU, a new division of a major Spanish tomato producer that has retrofitted part of its facility in order to grow cannabis. The AEMPS (Spanish Drug and Healthcare Products Agency) granted them authorization to cultivate, process, and manufacture cannabis in September of 2020. They are currently in the process of getting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification. Once obtained, they will be able to start cultivating cannabis for use in clinical trials and research.
Companies Authorized to Produce Cannabis for Research Purposes
Here are a list of companies that are authorized to produce cannabis in Spain, for research purposes, according to AEMPS, as of November 2023. We’re sharing descriptions for companies, and organizations that have public information below.
- Asociación Navarra Para La Investigación Del Cáñamo (Anic)
- Bhalutek Hemp SL: Bhalutek Hemp SL is a Spanish company established in 2012 with activity in the medical cannabis sector. The company focuses on the research and development of aspects related to the selection, genetic improvement of medicinal cannabis varieties, as well as scientific research in processes and machinery for the extraction and purification of its active ingredients with economic potential in different sectors.
- Biobizz Worldwide: Biobizz World Wide Organics is dedicated to the production and export of organic fertilizers ensuring the highest quality of each of the products we create, as well as the result that the grower gets when they use them.
- BIO Island XXI S.L.
- CEBAS-CSIC
- Helicon Medical: Helicon is developing cannabis products with THC, and CBD for medicinal use
- The Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB): The Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB) is a joint center formed by the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and Barcelona City Council
- IRTA: IRTA is a research institute owned by the Government of Catalonia adscribed to the Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda.
- Inveseed Technologies: Inveseed, the research, development and improvement company, technological partner of the Intersemillas group, has been authorized by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) to research in Medicinal Cannabis. The entity has the advice of the company CBD Therapy SL. The main objective of the project is the creation of varieties with a high content of medicinal cannabinoids, specifically cannabidiol (CBD).
- MIFCO Biosciences: MIFCO is a Spanish R&D company helping medical cannabis cultivators to improve yields & standardization with innovative Tissue Culture techniques
- Phytoplant Research: Phytoplant is the first company that created its own breeding program in Cannabis sativa L.
- Ploidy and Genomics: This company focuses its activity on the sector of plant biotechnology, specifically in the genetic improvement of plant species through traditional breeding, in vitro cell and tissue culture, and the use of advanced genomic tools.
- Quorum Biomedical: Quorum Biomedical is a company certified for the cultivation of cannabis for research by the Spanish Medicines Agency and was created to offer the clinical solution that the world seeks and needs.
- Sovereign Fields: Sovereign Fields’ CBD and CBG-rich varieties are reshaping the future of hemp in the U.S. and international hemp marketplace.
- Trichome Pharma: Trichome Pharma incorporates a holistic view of sustainability from seed to sale, considering a comprehensive range of environmental, social and governance issues. From organically certified cultivation sites, to ethically sourced ingredients, and sustainable packaging.
- UCIE ARS Innovatio
Companies Authorized to Produce Cannabis for Medical and Scientific Purposes
There are only four companies that are licensed, and authorized to produce or manufacture cannabis for medical and scientific purposes in Spain. Here are the companies, their authorizations, and a brief description of each.
Linneo Health, SL
Linneo Health is authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants for medical and scientific purposes.
Linneo Health spearheads global advancements in researching, EU-GMP certified manufacturing, and providing medicinal cannabis flowers, extracts, and products to pharmaceutical partners pioneering innovative cannabis-based therapies for patients. Serving as the world’s sole vertically integrated medicinal cannabis supplier, with a 90-year legacy in producing meticulously regulated pharmaceutical goods, Linneo Health is establishing the gold standard for quality in cannabis research, cultivation, and supply. Their commitment drives innovation and excellence in this transformative field.
Bhalutek Sens SL
Bhalutek is authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants for the production of cannabis seeds and cuttings for medical and/or scientific purposes. Bhalutek is also authorized to produce cannabis for research, and development, we’ve covered their company profile above.
Phytoplant Research, SL
Phytoplant is authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants for the production of cannabis seeds and cuttings for medical and/or scientific purposes. We have covered their company profile in the research, and development section above as well, since Phytoplant is also authorized to produce cannabis for R&D.
Sovereign Fields SL
Sovereign Fields is also authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants for the production of cannabis seeds and cuttings for medical and/or scientific purposes. We have covered their company profile in the R&D section as well.
Companies Authorized to Produce Cannabis for for the Validation of the Manufacturing process of Narcotic Active Ingredients for Medical Purposes
Medicanna Farm
Medicanna is authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants to obtain the batches necessary for the validation of the manufacturing process of narcotic active ingredients (cannabis) for medical purposes.
MM Medical Flowers, SL
MM Medical Flowers is authorized for the cultivation of Cannabis plants to obtain the batches necessary for the validation of the manufacturing process of narcotic active ingredients (cannabis) for medical purposes.
How to Get a Cannabis License in Spain
There is limited information to guide those who are interested in getting a license to cultivate cannabis in Spain [2]. First, you will only be allowed to cultivate for export, for research, or for medicinal purposes. Second, you will need to start the process by contacting the Narcotics and Psychotropic Department of the AEMPS (narcotics@aemps.es). They will have you submit information about your proposed site and operations and you will report to them annually. Licenses are granted for a period of one year and likely need to have backing from a research institution or clinical trial.
Based on the report that Medical Plants SLU is pending GMP certification, it is very likely that other cannabis cultivators also need to meet this requirement. If you are interested in learning more about growing cannabis under GMP regulation, GrowerIQ consulting services can help. GrowerIQ understands what cannabis companies need to do to meet stringent regulatory requirements, and offers standard operating procedures (SOPs) and seed-to-sale software that helps growers stay compliant.
Final Thoughts on Spanish Cannabis Cultivation
Cannabis cultivation in Spain is a confusing matter. There is no legal medical marijuana program, but there are companies currently licensed to produce it. Notably, public approval for medical marijuana has been estimated to be up to 90% [4]. As one reporter explains,
The cultivation of cannabis in large quantities is prohibited… except if the Government graciously grants a license. Then, if the applicant is lucky and, based on criteria that only AMEPS knows about, is granted a license, planting hectares of marijuana is legal.
Harrison, V. “The support for medical cannabis is growing in Spain”
This has Spanish cannabis activists working to pressure the government to make changes that would make sense of the Spanish cannabis paradox. If it is legal to consume in private and grow, then why not allow it to be legally produced and grown? And why not give patients safe access to medical cannabis and doctors that can guide them to use it properly? Paradoxical as it is, there are currently many measures for reform awaiting debate by Spain’s Congress [4]. In the meantime, those looking to get cannabis cultivation licenses in Spain will need to work directly with the AMEPS and research institutions to find opportunities.
The fact that you found your way to this article is remarkable, we’re sure that you’re an ambitious grower. The oppourtunity in international trade does not end here. We have written guides on getting your cannabis license for more countries, such as Portugal, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa. Check out our guides over here: How to get a Cannabis License in Portugal, How to Get a Cannabis License in Germany, How to get a Cannabis License in New Zealand, and How to get a Cannabis License in South Africa.
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References
- Autorizaciones vigentes emitidas por la AEMPS para el cultivo de plantas de Cannabis – Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Published 2019. Retrieved 5/9/21 from https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentos-de-uso-humano/estupefacientes-y-psicotropos/autorizaciones-vigentes-emitidas-por-la-aemps-para-el-cultivo-de-plantas-de-cannabis/
- Estupefacientes y Psicótropos – Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Published 2019. Retrieved 5/9/21 from https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentos-de-uso-humano/estupefacientes-y-psicotropos/?lang=en
- Growth in the Spanish medical cannabis landscape. November 13, 2020.. Prohibition Partners. Published November 13, 2020. Retrieved 5/9/21 from https://prohibitionpartners.com/2020/11/13/new-player-in-the-spanish-medical-cannabis-landscape/
- Harrison V. The support for medical cannabis is growing in Spain. Born2Invest. Published April 22, 2021. Retrieved 5/9/21 from https://born2invest.com/articles/support-medical-cannabis-growing-spain/