Sébastien Barles, deputy mayor of Marseille, wants to experiment with the legalization of cannabis

In light of the repeated acts of revenge and the collateral victims of the war on drugs, Sébastien Barles, deputy mayor of Marseille, hopes to to experiment with the legalization of cannabis.

Appearing as a guest on BFM Marseille Provence this Thursday, he advocated for a pragmatic policy, «one that will drastically reduce trafficking, and thus violence, and thus the climate of terror in working-class neighborhoods, and to restore an environment that will allow for the implementation of public policies […] the return of true equality, and to get these young people—who are currently caught up in drug trafficking—back to work or into training programs.»

«Everyone says so these days—it's a pragmatic measure. All that tough-talking about security doesn't work; everyone says so.».

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Correcting host Sophie Hebrard, who had asked him about the lack of impact of prevention efforts, Sébastien Barles clarified that «It’s not prevention» but law enforcement that has no effect. Hence the desire to legalize cannabis, in addition to the specific situation regarding drug trafficking in Marseille.

«Precisely because the situation in Marseille is unique—given that a cartel-like structure is taking shape—we need to start experimenting with legalization right now, see how it works, regulate and control the trade, and implement prevention policies specifically for young people to keep them from smoking dangerous products. And as we’ve seen in Canada, it works—consumption is down, especially among young people.»

«Legalization can lead to better control [of products].»

Sophie Hebrard then asks him whether, as Gérald Darmanin says, another drug will take the place of cannabis if it is legalized.

«I don't think he has any advisors who can provide him with feedback from all the states, from Uruguay—which has 10 years of experience—from Canada, U.S. states where we see that it’s profitable—including money that can be reinvested in working-class neighborhoods […] That’s the only solution. Today we’re spending 2 billion on cannabis enforcement, just on police resources alone. It leads nowhere; it solves nothing,» Sébastien Barles replies.

«Even the reports by the majority, of which Mr. Darmanin is a member—the parliamentary reports, the ones that examined the issue—say so.».