Mayor of Brussels calls for legalization of cannabis

In an interview with the Belgian daily DH, Philippe Close (PS), the mayor of Brussels, calls for the legalization of cannabis.

«We're no longer dealing with a crime problem, but a social and health problem. I deplore it, and nobody wants their children to smoke cannabis, but we have to stop being hypocritical. Among young people too. We need to get these young people out of the criminal networks. But today, we're spending millions of euros fighting cannabis trafficking, even though the public prosecutor's office no longer prosecutes offences involving less than 100 grams».» he reminds in the preamble.

He also urges the Vivaldi Coalition, of which the Belgian Socialist Party is a member, to take up the subject and «show a little courage on this issue».

«I hope - but I don't really believe - that Vivaldi will deal with this problem, or at least let Parliament deal with it. We've been waiting too long. I'd like the cry of the burgomasters and police officers to be heard in the Federal Parliament, so that everyone can understand how much time we're wasting chasing firecrackers and drug dealers.»

The socialist mayor added: «We want to create state-run stores selling cannabis. I say it as mayor: we're wasting our time and public money.

In Belgium, possession of 3 grams or cultivation of a plant is now punishable by a simplified penalty, without prosecution.