CSC EXPERT EXCHANGE BERLIN 2024 – DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS

📌 Date: June 13, 2023
📌 Location: Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit (German Federation for Sustainability), Berlin
📌 Keynote Speaker: Burkhard Blienert, German Federal Drug Commissioner

On June 13, 2024, I teamed up with the Linnaeus Hemp Institute to host an exceptional event—one that brought together politicians, activists, and key industry figures for a deep dive into the future of Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) in Germany and beyond.

🎤 Keynote Speaker: Burkhard Blienert (Germany’s Federal Drug Commissioner)
One of the most defining moments of the event was the keynote speech by Burkhard Blienert, a central figure in shaping Germany’s Cannabis legalization process.

👉 “Cannabis clubs can help us talk more thoughtfully about prevention—discussing both the risks and the opportunities the cannabis plant offers—while always remembering that it is a substance. (…) Fundamentally, the idea is to create a non-commercial option—an essential element that truly makes me happy. Let’s continue to come together and exchange ideas, pursue our goals, and prioritize health and youth protection.”

🔥 A Global Perspective: Learning from Spain
To provide crucial international insights, we invited two of Spain’s most renowned CSC pioneers:
🎙 Patty Amiguet (President of ConFAC, harm reduction leader & activist)
🎙 Ana Afuera (ENCOD, Drug Policy Expert & CSC Advocate)

Having worked for years within Spain’s Cannabis Social Club movement, they offered invaluable perspectives on:

✅ How Spanish CSCs evolved & what Germany can learn from their successes and mistakes.
✅ The role of Cannabis Clubs in harm reduction & responsible use.
✅ The political landscape—where we’re heading & what hurdles remain.