Has France decriminalized cannabis?

An announcement that caused little stir in France, but which we did catch a glimpse of from abroad. While we were at the weekend, The news is in: «minor offences» may be punished by a fine only. Among them, cannabis consumption. Has Manuel Valls taken the first step towards decriminalization of cannabis in France ?

In fact, the announcement is mixed. French cannabis consumers, caught in the act and non-recidivists, could be fined as little as. But this «permission» has to be granted on a case-by-case basis, by a prosecutor and then by a judge. This is a far cry from decriminalization. The simple fine was already part of the range of options available to the justice system for punishing cannabis-related offences. Today, a user in France risks up to a year in prison and a €3,750 fine, even if consumption is rarely punishable by a prison sentence, but rather by community service or psychiatric treatment.

On the other hand, it's a discreet way of challenging the 1970 narcotics law, which now prohibits the consumption of, among other things, cannabis. While 11% of French people aged 18 to 64 said they had already used cannabis last year, the number of daily cannabis smokers is estimated at 700,000. This simple figure an appalling admission of failure repressive policies in France, while the benefits of the legalization of cannabis in France are already known.

The politicians of all stripes are considering changes to the 1970 law. While the current Minister of Health, Marisol Touraine (PS), is constantly stalling on the subject, on September 17 Les Républicains proposed an amendment to punish first-time offenders with a third-category fine (maximum €450). It's enough to break the cliché of the left-wing firecracker!

Jean-Pierre Couteron, President of the Fédération Addiction, sums up this false decriminalization to our colleagues in Le Monde. World It's «a good technical development, but not a penal revolution, because it doesn't touch on the symbolism of penalizing use«. A step forward, yes. Decriminalization, no!