[Interview] For Caroline Janvier, the French cannabis model is ineffective and counter-productive

Caroline Janvier, LREM MP for Loiret, is rapporteur for the Mission d'informations sur les usages du cannabis, and in particular on the subject of recreational cannabis. At a time when containment of the coronavirus pandemic has pushed states or countries where cannabis is legal to make it an essential business, we spoke to her about the cannabis situation in France and her work on the subject.

Newsweed: Hello Caroline. You are the MI cannabis rapporteur on the subject of recreational use. What prompted you to work specifically on this subject?

Caroline Janvier : Hello. There's a simple reason why I wanted to work on this subject: the ineffectiveness and even counter-productive nature of the French model. Cannabis use, which is widespread in our society, continues to increase, despite the fact that French legislation on cannabis use is one of the strictest in Europe. Whatever our position on the subject, we can only acknowledge this failure. Failure from a health, safety and economic point of view.

A number of foreign countries have changed their model by introducing a policy of prevention and support for risky use. These developments enable us to benefit from feedback and compare the effects of the chosen models on consumption, particularly among young people, on crime, and on the advantages and disadvantages of the economic models implemented (pricing, production and distribution methods, development of the industry, etc.).

NWD: How will the cannabis IM go?

CJ: The aim of this fact-finding mission is, on the one hand, to provide an overview of the current situation and, on the other, to put forward proposals for the various uses of cannabis in France. We have divided our work into three phases: therapeutic cannabis, a topical issue with trials due to start in January 2021; so-called «wellness» cannabis, CBD hemp; and finally, by the end of 2020, we'll be tackling the area for which I'm responsible, i.e. so-called «recreational» cannabis.

From a health point of view, we need to identify the different levels of toxicity and effects of cannabis on the human body, in particular the role of the disruption of the endocannabinoid system (eCB) in psychic and psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, addiction, stress and anxiety. Beyond the question of toxicity, that of dependence, which this mission has already shown to be far lower than that of other substances or alcohol (cf. Roques report 1998).

When it comes to security and crime-fighting issues, France's prohibitionist system is proving powerless, despite the efficiency and unfailing commitment of our police forces, to halt a fundamental trend that makes our country an exception within the European Union when it comes to drug consumption. While French public spending on combating cannabis is valued at 568 million euros, 90 % of which are linked to police and judicial actions, we can decently ask ourselves how we can do things differently and better.

Finally, we'll look at the economic and financial approach, based in particular on the work of the Conseil d'analyse économique. We will then analyze the dynamics of the current black market and of a potentially regulated or public market (investments, jobs...) for the production, processing and distribution of products; above all, we will have to work on the best use of public expenditure, as far as cannabis is concerned, in our country.

NWD: The fact-finding mission on the uses of cannabis will probably provide some food for thought, but what do you think would be the most important points in legalizing cannabis in France?

CJ: As far as the national situation is concerned, fifty years after the 1970 law, we can only observe several phenomena that are characteristic of our country:

• A double increase in consumption and seizures
• A product available on the black market that has evolved considerably in recent years, with the THC content of resin tripling in 15 years and the 40% content of weed increasing, making the product more harmful, or at least increasing its effects tenfold.
• Problem drinking at age 17 increased between 2014 and 2017, from 22 % to 25 % of current users.

At the end of this mission, the conclusions of which I cannot prejudge today, the aim will be to propose changes to legislation with the dual aim of preventing the most risky forms of consumption and putting an end to the crime associated with cannabis trafficking.

NWD: Is the context of illegal trade on the outskirts of big cities, which is very characteristic of the French black market, an issue?  

CJ: Cannabis trafficking and the resulting crime have a major social and territorial impact, fuelling insecurity for many of our fellow citizens, and we need to act more effectively against this. The challenge is to combat serious crime, by freeing up police and judicial time for this type of investigation, and to offer real career opportunities for many young people on the outskirts of cities. For me, this is part of the Republican reconquest to which the government is committed.

In this sense, the paths outlined in the latest report on the subject from the Génération Libre think tank are areas we could explore further. Taking our inspiration from California's micro-licensing system, for example, we could look at ways of creating entrepreneurial opportunities for many young people who are currently living illegally.

NWD: All the countries around us have at least decriminalized cannabis or allow some form of access to it. Luxembourg has indicated its intention to legalize before 2021, the Netherlands has made progress on legal cultivation for coffeeshops, and Switzerland is working on a pilot project for cannabis distribution. Abroad, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa and Mexico - in other words, countries on every continent - are making progress on the subject. Why is the subject so complicated in France?

CJ: In my opinion, it is important to recall the context that prevailed when the law of December 31, 1970 was passed, defining the framework for the prohibition of cannabis consumption. In 1969, a 17-year-old girl was found dead of’overdose in the toilets of a Bandol casino. This dramatic and sordid event made a deep impression on public opinion and prompted stronger political action on drugs. It was also to combat the ideas of «cultural leftism» that the government of the time, under the presidency of Georges Pompidou, wanted to put an end to it, in order to give a signal of authority to its electorate.

Since then, the debate has remained difficult in our country, as it has involved ideological positions that were often excessive, preventing an objective analysis of the issues at stake. The situation is changing, the debates are less passionate, and this parliamentary mission, as well as various reports such as that of the Conseil d'analyse économique, are proof of this.

NWD: France announces a loss of 6 GDP points due to the coronavirus. Some countries already believe that this crisis will benefit cannabis regulation. For my part, I estimate that French regulation would bring in €10 billion in revenue and contribute €100 billion to GDP. Can France do without it?

CJ: The economic argument is of course important, and the tax revenue for the state from legalization non-negligible. However, I don't believe that legalization is necessary for budgetary reasons, but because the current situation is worrying from a health, social and security point of view, and this process could help improve the situation in each of these areas.

If legalization is finally chosen, the public resources generated by taxing a new economic activity could finance a genuine policy of prevention and public health, as well as monitoring our young consumers, in order to finally reduce consumption and addictions. Today, the social cost of cannabis is estimated at 919 million euros, so tax revenues would more than cover this sum. Then, while today's spending on care, prevention, promoting research represent only 10 % of public spending on cannabis in France, we would have the opportunity to build a large-scale public policy and develop the plant's positive externalities in medicine and pharmacology. Last but not least, these additional revenues could finance additional resources for our law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime, which is often financialized and internationalized - the only real lever in the fight against trafficking and crime.