Spannabis 2025: The Final Year in Barcelona – What the Relocation to Bilbao Means for the European Cannabis Scene
Dan's Dispatch: Not Just Another Spannabis
The rumors are true—this year’s Spannabis in Barcelona marks the end of an era. After over two decades in the city, the iconic cannabis event will be forced to relocate due to the demolition of its longtime venue, Fira de Cornella, in 2026. As Spannabis makes its move to Bilbao, Dan Adler Golden reflects on the impact this shift will have on the European cannabis scene and the future of the festival. This week's Dan's Dispatch dives into the legacy of Spannabis in Barcelona, the changes ahead, and the vibrant cannabis culture that remains in this city.
NOT JUST ANOTHER SPANNABIS
The rumors are true. This is no longer just another Spannabis, as this will be the final year it will take place in Barcelona. For 20+ years, Barcelona has hosted tens of thousands of people from across the globe for a week-long celebration, but just a few days ago the event organizers announced that the venue for Spannabis, Fira de Cornella, will be demolished in 2026 and there is no suitable alternative in the city. As a result, Spannabis is being forced to relocate from Barcelona to Bilbao.
While this is not the first time Spannabis will have an event in Bilbao, the city is far from a hub for cannabis consumers and the burgeoning industry. There is some cultivation local to the area, but with only a few social clubs, there are limited opportunities for the city to host the activities that arise from Spannabis week, where the best of European cannabis is showcased. No doubt, this is a hit for Spannabis and an adjustment for the European cannabis scene as a whole.
Spannabis seems to be on a road paved by countless events that came before it. Many cannabis festivals in the US that used to attract tens of thousands of people have all decreased in size, if they haven’t disappeared entirely. The location of the event may seem like a minor detail, but a change in venue can have consequential effects on the future of a festival. In the case of Spannabis it has sent shockwaves through the local cannabis community, as the annual celebration of all things cannabis may be limited to just the weekend event after a historic run.
Ciarán O’Leary has been a staple of the European community for the last 10+ years and has seen the evolution of European cannabis events firsthand. “If you think back 5, 6, 7 years ago, there were large shows on a European roadshow. Cultiva (Vienna) Product Earth, (UK), and even Mary Jane was small and Spannabis was the big one. Now Mary Jane is the only one left standing.”
While the anticipated impact will be a decrease in visitors, others believe the relocation of the event will not have a large effect on the events that surround Spannabis.
“Isn’t it all about the events that make it what it is, and that’s why everyone is traveling here? We just call it something else like: ‘Barcelona Smoke week’ and we’re back to normal activities next year again” says Bjorn Budder.
While we don’t really know what this means for the future of cannabis in Barcelona, I want to highlight a few of the can’t miss features of the local cannabis scene:
Uncles Farm: A completely different type of experience, this invite-only club provides an incredibly intimate space with exceptional service. In addition to being the home of Piatella, their passion for the plant is evident in how they discuss all of their offerings.
GWA Social Club: Both a club and a brand, they have won countless awards. With a focus on living soil flowers grown by their collective, you can expect premium quality flower here. For more visit this site.
Strainhunters: Situated right by La Rambla, Strainhunters hosts a gorgeous space stocked with stellar products. Word is, it has been closed to new members for a while, so take advantage if you can get in.
NPK Club: With a well placed pool table and lovely terrace, NPK club remains in the conversation for best social club in Barcelona.
While this coming week will be a chance to enjoy Spannabis, Barcelona, and everything that it has to offer, the trajectory of this major event in the industry and the importance of Mary Jane has grown seemingly overnight.
Happening in Berlin on June 20-22, Mary Jane will be even bigger than last year, when over 50,000 attendees gathered for a celebration of cannabis, culture, music, and recent legal advancements. With a growing medical market, social clubs, and home growing now tolerated, Germany has become an explosive market for cannabis over the last 12 months. Berlin is likely to continue to be very tolerant of cannabis, and with many wide open spaces, the city is almost perfectly built to host the numerous events that happen alongside cannabis festivals.
While Spannabis will undoubtedly continue, it will be several years until its new form really takes shape. This year, let’s celebrate the amazing culture, city, and environment that has thrived because of the yearly pilgrimage of tens of thousands of cannabis lovers from around the globe for the last 20+ years.
For more on Dan's Dispatch, read here! Peep more on Ciarán and COmpound in Honeysuckle's upcoming print edition to launch at 2025 Spannabis
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