A decade of regulated Cannabis Social Clubs in Uruguay: five key developments and challenges ahead

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.