Contraventionnalisation du cannabis: une fausse avancée, by Laurent Appel

Laurent Appel is an author and filmmaker specializing in drug policy. He writes regularly on the subject of cannabis in France, and published this post on his Facebook account. We transcribe it here in the form of an opinion piece, with his permission.

«Contravening cannabis use is a delaying tactic, and it's not in the interests of users or society to support this little measure.

Young users and inner-city dwellers are much more heavily policed than those over 30, white, from inner cities, affluent suburbs or rural areas. The police will continue to make up the numbers, arbitrarily classifying simple consumption as a fineable offence, and misdemeanours as correctional or criminal. The impact of fines will notera not the same, depending on the resources of the person being fined, and the addition of unpaid bills could lead to bailiffs being called in, followed by forcible confinement. It's a decriminalization of consumption for the rich, and won't help to reduce hostility to the police in neighborhoods and among young people.

In the absence of full decriminalization, we cannot expect any significant increase in voluntary demand for care for acute or chronic disorders linked to cannabis and other illicit drug use. We won't be able to reverse the mistrust of prevention and harm reduction messages.

The benefit to the public purse is ridiculous compared to the taxes levied on a regulated but competitive cannabis market. Compared to France, Colorado's taxes would represent around 6 billion euros a year, not counting other taxes on the industry and its employees.

It's just a smokescreen to make people think we're dealing with the problem, just a big publicity stunt...

Let's not fall into the trap set by the government, the medical bugs and the police unions, let's demand legalization!

Laurent Appel »