Villeurbanne spoke: 72% of those consulted are in favor of legalizing cannabis in France

Since December 10, the commune of Villeurbanne has been in the midst of a debate about cannabis. The town hall had launched a citizen consultation and round tables to discuss legalization and take the temperature of public opinion on the issue. The results are in: of the 3,700 contributions received during the consultation, 72% are in favor of legalizing cannabis in France.

Villeurbannais unanimous

In addition to their opinion on legalization, citizens were also asked to justify their position. For many of them, legalizing cannabis would enable the State to exercise greater control over the products sold, their origin and their quality, as well as reducing illicit trafficking and the incivilities that go with it. In their view, the tax revenues generated by legal cannabis could be redirected to fund prevention and education.

The results of the consultation and round table discussions will be compiled in a white booklet, which will be distributed as part of the Assises du Territoire. It will also be sent to members of parliament and the government, who, according to Didier Vullierme, deputy mayor of Villeurbanne in charge of security, must now take up the debate.

«The Head of State, who says he wants to listen to what citizens are saying, the government and Parliament now need to show political courage. The government must take charge of this issue and change the law. And open, without taboos or preconceived ideas, a debate that citizens are calling for. The government cannot remain deaf to such a popular expression», he believes.

A previous survey conducted by IFOP and carried out by ECHO and Terra Nova in June 2018 had estimated the proportion of French people in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis at 51%. Has this position evolved upwards since last summer, with the legalization of cannabis in Canada in the meantime? Are the people of Villeurbanne more liberal than the rest of France, or have they simply been convinced by the arguments put forward by experts during the debates organized by the town hall? In any case, they are in favor of reforming the current law.