Interview: Villeurbanne launches a citizen consultation on cannabis policies in France

While the government turns a deaf ear to issues related to cannabis (except for its therapeutic use), at the regional and municipal levels, local elected officials are taking the lead and sparking the debate. The latest initiative comes from the city of Villeurbanne, where a public consultation on the issue of cannabis has been underway since December 10 and will run through February 10. Decriminalization, legalization, or increased enforcement? Residents of the city—and others—are invited to share their views via a website.

At the same time, two roundtable discussions bringing together legal experts, sociologists, urban planners, and doctors will be held on January 15 and 24. The first is titled «Cannabis Trafficking: Cities Facing the Challenge of Its Impact on Public Order, Health, and Youth,» and the other is titled «Prohibition, Decriminalization, Legalization: What Legislation Is Needed to Effectively Combat Cannabis Trafficking?» In addition, the opinions of doctors and police officers will also be sought. All of these expert and citizen opinions will be synthesized and compiled into a white paper that will be submitted to the government and parliament, as well as to the Conference on Security and Territorial Affairs.

According to Didier Vullierme, deputy mayor for public safety in Villeurbanne: «We urgently need to examine this issue without naivety or taboos.» To learn more, Newsweed interviewed him.

What prompted this initiative?

«Last spring, we organized a mid-term review in a participatory format with the residents of Villeurbanne, who were able to engage in dialogue with us through citizen roundtables. Issues related to cannabis trafficking were raised, adding to the complaints sent by mail or email to the mayor. Drug trafficking is becoming increasingly common here, as in other cities, with consequences for public peace and social cohesion. As local elected officials, we are on the front lines. We are being asked to resolve a major problem that falls outside our jurisdiction.».

What is your personal stance on the repressive policies currently in place?

«It’s clear that this has been a failure. The proof is that drug trafficking is becoming commonplace. Not all cases have the same impact on public peace; some are even very discreet. But they are harmful to community life wherever they take root.».

«Prohibition as it is currently enforced in France also poses a major public health problem. The fact that consumers obtain their supplies through illegal channels leaves product quality control in the hands of criminal networks that care little for their customers» health when they overdose cannabis resin with THC or cut it with tire rubber or shoe polish. You don’t need to be an experienced doctor to understand the health impact of such products!”

«Finally, prohibition does not allow for effective prevention policies, as is the case with alcohol or tobacco, for example, even though this is essential in a context where cannabis use continues to rise. There is a certain hypocrisy here: our country has the most repressive legislation in Europe, yet it is among the countries with the highest levels of cannabis use—and trafficking as well.».

As a municipality, how much autonomy do you have with respect to national policy?

«It is up to the legislature to either change the law or give the government the means to enforce it. But from whom does the legislature derive its legitimacy? From the citizens. Our role as local elected officials is to make our fellow citizens» voices heard on this issue, much like whistleblowers. That is why we are asking them to participate in drafting the white paper that we will submit to the government in March.”.

Is your initiative part of the Assises du Territoire, or is it an independent initiative?

«Our initiative will indeed be part of the National Conference on Territorial Security organized by the French Forum for Urban Security and will contribute to their white paper, even though we will produce our own document, which we will send directly to the government.».

You’re part of the Lyon metropolitan area—why didn’t you give this initiative a more regional scope?

«As a community, we are breaking a taboo. Perhaps it is easier for now to lead the way. The fact that our initiative has caught the attention of the National Conference on Territorial Security and is being taken up at the national level shows that this is already more than just an important first step. My hope is that the contribution of the people of Villeurbanne will help bring this debate to the national level. The President has just called on local elected officials. We take note.».