Belgium: «Belgium's cannabis policy is a failure».»

This is how that title Belga, Belgian AFP: «Belgium's cannabis policy is a failure».

This finding is the result of a multi-month study by 15 scientists, who are sounding the alarm. The report's conclusion is unequivocal. Although the intention of public policy on cannabis is good, it has failed to achieve its main objectives.

«The number of dependent users is increasing, as are the negative consequences for society,» says Letizia Paoli, Professor of Criminology and coordinator of the Cannabis Working Group.

«The repressive approach has only led to a geographical shift and the emergence of criminal entrepreneurs, who offer cannabis almost professionally,» analyzes Ms. Paoli. «Furthermore, no control is possible over quality and potency, with all the consequences this entails for public health.»

The report highlights the paradox of the repressive approach and its consequences (p.28). «The more intense the repression, and the more successful it is in limiting supply and creating scarcity, the higher the price for the consumer, which ultimately leads to greater profitability for cannabis producers and distributors.» These huge margins then attract more people willing to take risks or who have nothing to lose.

The effects of intense repression are the multiplication of illegal players, who share substantial financial resources used to professionalize and protect themselves from repression. The evolution of supply circuits, originally via Morocco, now via the Netherlands or directly in Belgium, makes repressive policies «impossible».

Cannabis repression is also behind the rise in violence and crime, and the increase in THC levels in cannabis.

Increase in the number of cannabis-related fines

Following on from the report, the Libre Belgique remonte that the number of fines for cannabis possession in the Brussels region increased between 2015 and 2016. PS MP Julien Uyttendaele is surprised that the vast majority of these tickets are for simple cannabis use, while a minority are for sales.

Some may see this as a strange echo of the argument in our MP Eric Poulliat, who intends to fine cannabis users in order to «redirect police and gendarmerie resources towards trafficking».

According to Julien Uyttendaele, Belgium's current prohibitionist policy is harmful. These figures show that repressive measures are on the increase, whereas the government should be offering its help in the interests of security, prevention and risk reduction,« says the MP. Penalizing cannabis possession and consumption is counter-productive and will never be a remedy for these societal problems. A more humane vision that avoids punishment would be more appropriate.»

What kind of public cannabis policy for Belgium?

The report concludes with lengthy recommendations for a new cannabis policy in Belgium, namely strict regulation of cannabis.

The watchwords of a rational cannabis policy should be strict control of cannabis consumption while strongly discouraging its use. The report insists, however, that regulation will not completely eradicate either problematic use or the black market, but will tackle the current consequences of cannabis prohibition better than prohibition itself.

The researchers put forward 4 possible alternatives: Cannabis Clubs, a state monopoly, a market open to licensed associations or a free market.

The complete study is available here in English and here in Dutch.