Citizen debate on cannabis policies in full swing in Villeurbanne

The municipality of Villeurbanne in the Lyon metropolitan area has launched a public consultation on current cannabis policies. Open since December 10, its goal is to foster citizen dialogue on the effectiveness and relevance of current laws. We had already Didier Vullierme questioned, Deputy Mayor for Security, on the ins and outs of this initiative.

#cannabis-Let's-Start-the-Discussion

A little over a month after the initiative began, the debate is in full swing in Villeurbanne. Facebook dialogues with experts are transcribed live on The City's Facebook page. The first was held on Thursday, January 10, and its theme was «Cannabis, Effects and Harms on Health.» The second was held on Wednesday, January 16, and focused on cannabis use among young people: »Youth and Cannabis: Risk Trajectories.».

More than 500 of you followed the Facebook Live event "Youth and Cannabis: Risky Trajectories." The next event is Thursday the 24th with the panel discussion "Prohibition, Decriminalization, Legalization: How to More Effectively Combat Cannabis Trafficking?" #cannabisLet's open the debate I'm unable to access external websites or specific files on the internet, including the content of the provided link. Therefore, I cannot translate the image contained within the link.

— Villeurbanne (@villeurbanne) January 16, 2019

The first roundtable discussion was held last week, on Tuesday, January 15th, at City Hall. It was titled: «Cannabis Trafficking: What are the consequences for urban peace, health, and youth?» It brought together about 200 participants who shared their testimonies and questions, as well as some potential answers. It also included lawyer Arnaud Adelise, sociologist Ivana Obradovic, and researchers Claire Duport and Nacer Lalam, who led the discussion.

The round table "Trafficking of #cannabis : what are the consequences for urban tranquility, health, and youth" at City Hall @villeurbanne gather tonight nearly 200 participants.# Villeurbanne #cannabisLet's open the debate This is a Twitter link, not text that can be translated into English. pic.twitter.com/xqpiLmtCvE

— Villeurbanne (@villeurbanne) January 15, 2019

The second panel discussion will be held on Thursday, January 24th. It will focus on the theme «Prohibition, decriminalization, legalization: how to fight cannabis trafficking more effectively?». The citizen debate will conclude on February 10, 2019. All opinions collected will then be synthesized in a white paper submitted to legislators. For Didier Vullierme, the status quo of current French policies «is not satisfactory,» and it is «essential that the debate can be opened at the national level,» and this local initiative is an invitation to do so.

Asked about lump-sum fines, the Deputy Security Officer had these words: «In my opinion, this is a very technical measure. Ultimately, we remain in the prohibition situation we are in today, we are simply modifying the terms of the penalty. There is little chance that this will stop the drug trafficking which is the source of the difficulties our fellow citizens, the residents, are experiencing in our neighborhoods. I doubt that a rather superficial measure will solve the root of the problem.».