Why won't France legalize cannabis before 2017?

Edito. Brexit, Panama Papers, Nuit Debout, and now the legalization of cannabis in France. The debates and citizen mobilizations are one after the other. On the subject of cannabis, Jean-Marie le Guen said yesterday on BFM TV that he would like the Socialist Party to open a debate on cannabis. Here's what we like about what's going on today, what we don't like, and why France is doing it. will not legalize cannabis before 2017 (even if a debate is necessary).

What we like

Jean-Marie le Guen's arguments

Jean-Marie le Guen tackles a taboo subject that affects at least 10% of the French population. As a medical doctor, JMG knows that prohibition poses a major public health concern. The subject is treated in a penal rather than a sanitary manner and results in mass arrests (often of Arab minorities, whereas in the USA the prohibition attacks blacks in particular), overcrowded prisons and overcrowded courts for minor offences. Patients, for their part, are poorly supported due to a lack of prevention and information among health professionals.

JMG also takes up an argument that will be discussed during the’UNGASS 2016 Prohibition was a failure. Without displaying an official government will, JMG puts forward the idea of moving towards a state-controlled market, with education and public health policies. Nothing crazy for those interested in the current cannabis industry, which is struggling to make inroads in France.

PS calls for debate on cannabis

Above all, JMG calls for a debate within the Socialist Party. The official line, defended by François Hollande, is that «there may be a debate, but the debate is closed» or «there is no debate on the government's agenda». It's like closing the door on someone who hasn't knocked yet. Of course, when you're at home and don't want to be disturbed, you have the right. But when you're a government elected by your citizens, it's a denial of democracy.

The Republicans are no better. From Estrosi to MAM, they all revile Jean-Marie le Guen's proposal, often calling for more prohibition in the face of failed prohibition. Remember the lady at the canteen who used to give you carrots even though you didn't like them? Do you like carrots today? I don't.

Pro-legalisation or politicians who only question the holding of a debate are far too often situated at the extremes to be heard. So, yes, JMG, carry on!

The difference between a good politician and a bad one

We're going to be able to separate the politicians who are interested in the subject on the one hand, and the others on the other. Number 1 in the list of big losers: Laurent Wauquiez in an interview on RTL this morning (the first 2 minutes below). Number 1, only because we saw him first, there must be others elsewhere 😉

Wauquiez begins by declaring that «the government understands nothing about France» (so far, so good). He continues: the economy is plunging, the unemployment rate is rising, the purchasing power of the middle classes is at half-mast, and terrorism is on the rise. «And the government has found the solution: we're going to decriminalize cannabis. Honestly, is it all serious?.

So yes, Laurent, we'll ask you the same question again. Are you really serious? We're not telling you that everything will improve, that there will no longer be left or right, and that the Israelis will go and give flowers to the Palestinians. But, Laurent, look across the Atlantic. Couldn't the legalization of cannabis breathe new life into a struggling economy? Create new jobs? Cut off funding for certain terrorist organizations? We'll pick up the copies in 5 minutes.

What we don't like

Declaration timing

Jean-Marie le Guen's detractors often say this. His proposal is nothing but a smokescreen designed to appease young people. JMG wants to legalize it for those over 21, so it wouldn't affect high-school students, but hey, you can't blame them.

All too often, the debate on cannabis legalization has been used to win votes or create a diversion. Without questioning the Minister's intentions, the timing is anything but ideal. Panama Papers, ho, a debate on the Islamic veil. Nuit Debout? Oh, cannabis! The string (not in hemp that one) is a bit big. But when it comes down to it, who needs timing to express themselves when a drug-related triple-murder was committed last week?

Lack of mobilization of citizens and associations

Legalizations on the American continent are all the result of a citizen's movement, supported by doctors, lawyers, politicians and financiers. Where are the associations in this debate? Is there a single voice capable of rallying the dozen or so associations involved in the debate?’french cannabis associations ? Why don't we hear more from public figures who would also like this debate to «assist» Jean-Marie le Guen? Where is Cécile Duflot? Olivier Besancenot? Daniel Vaillant? Bertrand Dautzenberg ? Jean-Michel Apathie ?

Upcoming events in France will paint a picture of the mobilization around this issue: the world cannabis market 2016 on May 7 throughout France and on May 14 in Paris, and the’18 joint call which is starting to get organized. For the moment, it's a bit like: But where are you? But you're not here...

Legalization of cannabis in France before 2017

Let's keep this one brief. The main reason why cannabis won't be legalized before 2017 can be summed up in one word: agenda.

Political agenda, with the elections coming up. Cannabis may well become a campaign issue. Whether as a vote-grabber or a genuine desire, candidates will need to be as sincere as Justin Trudeau to make it really worthwhile.

And a logistical agenda on the other. Cannabis legalization doesn't happen overnight. Colorado took over two years, and Canada should be on the same schedule. We need to decide which path to take, change the laws, organize control and security bodies, set up a licensing system, create the conditions for a successful legal market, etc...

Perhaps France will choose to follow in the footsteps of its European neighbors, and at least give its patients the right of access to Sativex and other drugs. proven therapeutic benefits of cannabis. The necessary condition for this is to educate the political class and French citizens about what legalization represents.

Far too many people imagine legalization as a massive influx of 35t trucks full of weed that will come and dump their loads on the streets of their quiet little town, a youth that's stoned, weak-willed and drugged.

On the contrary, it means taking cannabis out of the ghettos and neighborhoods, putting it in a store with a street address, supervised by a health authority and taxed by the state (or not, depending on the scheme).

It means enabling patients' associations to grow cannabis varieties that are effective for their medical condition. It would stop ruining lives because of a pellet of pot in a pocket.

It means being able to do prevention work in secondary schools on the dangers of cannabis. And it also means helping people in the illegal industry to convert to the legal market. Quite a program, eh Laurent?