Is Edouard Philippe preparing to decriminalize cannabis in France?

In his general policy speech to the French National Assembly on June 12 last, Edouard Philippe discussed the reorientation of the fight against drugs towards criminal networks: «Over the next twelve months, our priority will be to combat drug trafficking, which is gangrene in whole swathes of our territory».». Then « This means harassing sales outlets, neutralizing distribution levels and bringing down network heads. »

Surprise! This is in stark contrast to today's reality. Today, the latter is essentially dedicated to chasing cannabis consumers and growers, as evidenced by Ministry of the Interior figures Drug use now accounts for around 85% of drug-related offences. The number of arrests for drug use has no effect on the number of arrests for drug trafficking, which remains unchanged.

Trend in drug arrests. Graph source : OFDT

Since the very purpose of decriminalization is to redirect police manpower towards the fight against drug trafficking, rather than towards simple consumers, who are generally granted tolerance for possession and consumption of small quantities of drugs, are we to assume that Edouard Philippe is opening the door to possible decriminalization?

The short answer to a long question is no.

Very pragmatically, a decriminalization of cannabis in France is not part of the Government's 2019 work schedule. Edouard Philippe's statement seems more to prepare the ground for the forthcoming law on Internal Security and the overhaul of the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS), following the various scandals it has experienced. Those who saw in this a hope of decriminalization, possibly spurred on by a Minister of the Interior and a Minister of the Environment in favor of legalizing cannabis, were a little hasty.

A fixed fine of €200 has recently been added to the arsenal of penalties for drug use, in addition to the prison sentences to which all cannabis users are liable. And if it's not not yet applicable, it's not doomed to disappear instantly.