MP to propose debate on cannabis legalisation in France
Record levels of consumption mean the current situation is untenable, according to the head of a parliamentary commission on the subject
The legalisation of recreational cannabis is 鈥減ossible鈥� in France, and the country should hold a public consultation or referendum on its use, the head of a parliamentary commission on the subject has said.
The suggestion was made by Jean-Baptiste Moreau, MP for Creuse and the head of a parliamentary commission on the use of recreational cannabis.
On Sunday February 28, : 鈥淲e will make proposals within a month.
鈥淲e really must have a debate to enlighten citizens on this issue. Today we have a ban, but we have record levels of consumption. So the situation is untenable.鈥�
Mr Moreau said: 鈥淧rohibition is not working. It just creates a parallel market. We have a significant parallel economy, which finances other networks, such as arms trafficking and others.鈥�
He said that 鈥渄ecriminalisation would not be enough鈥� and that the government would need to establish a system of 鈥渃hecks on the quality of products and the price of products sold鈥�.
Asked if he believed that the legalisation of recreational cannabis would be politically possible in France, the MP said: 鈥淚 think so.鈥�
He said that while awaiting the decision, 鈥渨e must have a prevention campaign in coll猫ges and lyc茅es to avoid the dangers of abusive and frequent consumption of cannabis, because it鈥檚 a real danger鈥�.
It comes after the French parliament to better understand public opinion towards recreational cannabis use.
The questionnaire was available on the Assembl茅e nationale website, and accepted responses from January 13 to February 28.
Responses will be incorporated into any future citizens鈥� consultation, anonymised in any given report, and then published anonymously on the Assembl茅e nationale website.
France has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in Europe, with showing use at 11%, the same level as Spain, putting the countries in joint first place.
This puts France ahead of Italy (10.2%), the Netherlands (9.6%), Finland (8.2%), Croatia and the Czech Republic (7.9%), Ireland (7.7%) and the UK (7.1%).
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