Marihuana coffe shops in Madrid?

[SaciPerere]

Hi there, I will be arriving in Madrid friday, are coffee shops still tolerated in Spain? I was there 5 years ago and remember them being legal, you just had to pay a 20 euro fee to become a "member", but I recently read something that mentioned that Spain drug laws had become more strict after a right wing government took over.

 

[Bella Figura]

I joined a club in Barcelona this time last year. They still send me emails, so i'm guessing they're still around!

 

[SaciPerere]

I joined a club in Barcelona this time last year. They still send me emails, so i'm guessing they're still around!

I know they are still legal in Barça, but that's because Catalonia is a semi-autonomous province within Spain and are allowed to make their own laws regarding drug use. I've been browsing the net for information on Madrid, but the info I got is very contradictory, some websites say that marihuana use is tolerated whereas others say I could face a 7 year prison sentence. You'd think that with zero economic growth and record high unemployment Spain would have bigger fish to fry than cannabis enthusiasts...

 

[Bearlove]

I was in Madrid a few years ago - didn't see any cafes or clubs (wasn't looking to be honest). Grass is openly smoked in the open, parks and readily available on the street.

 

[SaciPerere]

Lol, damn nearly got arrested today(rather, my mate almost did). We caught the bus from Barca to Madrid and during a stop at Zaragoza the police came with sniffing dogs(German shepherds) and they went straight to my mate's bag. Since it was a small quantity they let us go, but not before strip searching us in the bathroom of the gas station. He said he could fine us 600 euros but luckily he didn't.