Tunisia: the repressive cannabis law soon to be relaxed?

After the uproar caused by the 30-Year Prison Sentence for Three Young People Who Smoked a Joint, and amid protests in Tunis, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi promised to update Law 52 on cannabis.

«The government will consider revising and amending Law 52, which pertains to drug use.», Mechichi promises. His chief of staff goes even further. «This law is outdated, and we will propose a legislative initiative aimed at reducing prison sentences for drug users.», explains Moez Lidinallah Mokaddem.

Politicians are now competing to come up with ideas to modernize this law—known as «Law 52»—passed in 1992 during Ben Ali’s dictatorship. The centrist parliamentary group, La Réforme, is proposing an amendment this Tuesday. « The proposal aims to reduce the criminal penalties that could be imposed on consumers and to increase penalties for traffickers and gangs that encourage the use of narcotics, says the group's president, Hassouna Nasfi, on Mosaïque FM. On this basis, there will be custodial sentences for traffickers and alternative sanctions for mere users. »

A €600 fine

The proposed solution would be to limit penalties for drug use to fines rather than prison sentences. The lawmaker proposes fines of 500 to 1,000 dinars (150 to 300 euros) for a first conviction. In the case of repeat offenses—as is the case for the three young people sentenced to 30 years in prison—Nasfi is calling for fines of up to 2,000 dinars (600 euros).

«Together, let’s save these young people and remember that they are not criminals, but targets and victims of criminals—who, in turn, must be brought to justice.», "It is regrettable," says Hichem Ben Ahmed, member of parliament and former minister. The zatla, as it is called in Tunisia, is particularly popular among the country's youth. But she faces serious consequences under Law 52. According to RFI radio, 20 % Tunisian prisoners have been convicted of cannabis-related offenses.

So far, Ennahda, the most powerful political party, has not responded. However, the amendment will require the support of this Islamist and conservative party to pass. Ennahda holds 49 of the 134 seats in the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, making it the largest bloc in the Tunisian Parliament.