Cannabis Social Clubs in Chile: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Centre-Periphery Inequalities in the Global South

Abstract Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are non-profit organizations composed of adults aged 18 years and older who collectively produce, consume, and distribute cannabis in private settings. These organizations have emerged primarily under models of community self-governance in contexts characterized by regulatory ambiguity. Despite their key role in facilitating access to medicinal cannabis, empirical evidence on their spatial distribution remains limited in the Global South. To address this gap, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution of CSCs in Chile at the municipal level between 2015 and 2024. The research followed a quantitative, non-experimental, exploratory-descriptive design based on official administrative records, web-based searches, and census data, using statistical analyses and spatial visualization techniques. The results identified a total of 294 CSCs, with 67.3% of registrations concentrated in the Región Metropolitana and a secondary pattern of agglomeration in regional capitals. Over time, registrations showed sustained expansion, short-term fluctuations, and an unprecedented increase during the 2023-2024 biennium. Population-adjusted analyses revealed marked territorial inequalities, with limited coverage in rural and peripheral areas compared with the concentration observed in higher-income urban centers. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the formalization of CSCs tends to reproduce the country’s socio-spatial asymmetries, supporting the need for regulatory frameworks and territorial planning policies that promote equity in access to health.