Bègles unveils its experimental cannabis legalization project

The city of Bègles announced yesterday during a public meeting its pilot project to legalize cannabis.

Based on the observation that traditional prohibitionist approaches have failed to reduce cannabis use and the problems associated with it—such as trafficking and public health issues—the initiative proposes a three-pronged approach focused on prevention, harm reduction, and support for cannabis users.

It aims to address the shortcomings of the current illegal market by establishing a regulated framework for the consumption and sale of cannabis. The bill, compiled in a booklet, is guided by several key objectives:

• International Perspective: Given the changing attitudes toward cannabis around the world, the project aims to align with evolving international standards regarding cannabis legalization, while complying with EU legislation on narcotics.
• National impact: Since France has high rates of cannabis use despite strict laws, the project aims to provide an alternative approach that reduces the negative consequences associated with prohibition.
• Local relevance: Bègles, located in a region with high levels of cannabis use, aims to become a pioneer in public health innovation by implementing a comprehensive strategy that encompasses prevention, harm reduction, and community support.

A pilot program like the Swiss pilot tests

The project’s objectives are ambitious: they aim to have a positive impact on consumer health, reduce public nuisances associated with illicit drug markets, ease the burden on law enforcement and the judicial system, stimulate economic opportunities in agriculture, and improve the government’s fiscal outlook through tax revenues generated by the legalization of sales.

The experimental approach was meticulously developed based on international experience, in particular, the Swiss approach to pilot tests, and expert consultations. It involves rigorous oversight by several bodies, including a steering committee, a scientific council, and a democratic monitoring committee, thereby ensuring a democratic and inclusive decision-making process.

The controlled legalization model proposed in Bègles is designed to address the specific challenges observed in other countries where cannabis has been legalized, such as increased consumption among adults and cases of intoxication from edible products. The proposal calls for selling only cannabis flowers [Editor's note: In contrast to the widespread use of medical cannabis in France] thus excluding hash and stronger products such as extracts, or products that take longer to take effect, such as edibles.

Product prices are not specified, but are expected to be 10% lower than the average selling prices on the black market.

The pilot program will be limited to 100 adults who already use cannabis. It will include a dedicated facility of at least 100m², open 6 days a week for 7 hours a day, and production by private partners capable of growing cannabis. The maximum cultivation area is estimated at 600m². The cultivation method has not been determined; the pilot program proposal mentions open-field cultivation and a cultivation frequency of once a year. The number of plants to be grown must not exceed 200 plants per 100 members. In terms of the budget, agricultural costs are estimated at €10,000, while the total cost of the pilot project is estimated at €672,250.

Expenses Related to Day-to-Day Operations

The pilot program would be evaluated annually, focusing in particular on attendance, the quantity of products purchased, and the prevention initiatives carried out.

For the pilot program to move forward, national authorization must be granted. This authorization may be legislative (a law or section of a law) or regulatory (a decree signed by the Council of State). To facilitate the legislative process, the Bègles City Council has already proposed the text of the bill to be adopted. It will submit its draft to the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, hoping to soon secure a law that will allow this pilot program to proceed.