A majority of French in favor of legalizing cannabis

This is a historic first. Just a few hours before the Senate Symposium on Cannabis Legalization On October 10, a IPSOS survey commissioned by SOS Addictions, Sciences Po, and the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (Cnam), reveals that 52% of French people believe that the sale of cannabis should be regulated by the state would be «more effective than a ban in combating trafficking,» regardless of location (big cities, rural areas) or occupation.

While one might have thought that people over 35 would have a different opinion than those under 35—the age group that accounts for the majority of smokers French cannabis, the divide actually seems to lie among those aged 60 and older, who are generally resistant to the idea, with only 41% in favor of legalization (56% for those under 35, 55% for those aged 35 to 59).

The previous survey, conducted in April 2016, indicated that 59% of French people were against the legalization of cannabis. Attitudes are thus changing rapidly, no doubt driven by concerns about security and gang-related violence in Marseille, as well as the constant and significant seizures made by Customs.

This survey reveals other interesting figures. 84% A large majority of French people believe that the 1970 law, which currently prohibits the use and sale of cannabis in France, is ineffective at reducing cannabis use and consumption, on a unilateral basis (age groups, geographic distribution, or occupation).

Furthermore, as the elections approach, a slim majority of French people, 52% wants the issue to be addressed in the presidential campaign in the future and that candidates take a stance on changes to cannabis legislation, particularly among those aged 60 and older (62%).

251 out of the 1,097 people surveyed reported having used cannabis at some point in their lives, including 41 in the past 12 months—a proportion similar to that found in previous studies on cannabis use in France.

Potential candidates for the presidential election were quick to respond. Benoît Hamon, who had already come out in favor of legalizing cannabis, reiterated his commitment to legalizing—not merely decriminalizing—the industry in order to eliminate the black market and bring the government back into control of the trade.

Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, an LR representative from Essonne and candidate in the primary for the right and center, has come out in favor of decriminalization to «send a message to young people, while continuing to say it’s prohibited because we believe it poses health risks.» According to her, this would provide «less hypocritical and more effective» means of combating drug use “because we issue a fine,” echoing the proposals made by Jean-Pierre Raffarin in 2003 and Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007 (he has since backtracked).

Ségolène Royal would prefer that the sale of cannabis remain in the hands of criminal networks. «If the state were to sell cannabis, that would mean we’ve legalized it, and I’m fiercely opposed to that,» she said on iTélé. «The greatest service adults can do for young people is to set boundaries for them, explain things to them, and above all, steer their activities toward things that motivate them—positive things.».

Cécile Duflot, the only high-profile politician in attendance at the Symposium on Cannabis Legalization, took the opportunity to reiterate her longstanding campaign for the legalization of cannabis in France, and to echo the words of Daniel Vaillant, former Minister of the Interior, who spoke of the «lack of courage and clarity on this issue» among his colleagues currently in office.

And finally, Marisol Touraine, who took just a day to get started, wants a debate on cannabis. She explains today in *Libération*: «Clearly, a debate on this issue is necessary, but it must be a public health debate. To claim, as some do, that consumption carries no risks and that a change is necessary for public order reasons, strikes me as irresponsible, and above all, it does not solve the public health problem.”. As Minister of Health, I want a debate to take place. »We cannot condemn the effects of tobacco or alcohol and then open up the cannabis market. We must consider the nature of the penalties, in conjunction with strengthening prevention policies.”.

So, stay tuned.