The question of legalizing cannabis in France has become a hotly debated topic in recent years. The Socialist Senator for the Rhône, Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, recently took a major step forward by tabling a cross-party bill in the Senate, calling for the controlled legalization of cannabis. This courageous initiative aims to challenge the failure of cannabis prohibition and pave the way for more pragmatic and effective regulation. Let's take a closer look at this proposal and the issues surrounding it.
The main points of the proposal:
Senator Devinaz's bill differs from previous attempts by combining elements of the Canadian cannabis legalization model and German proposals. One of the central points of the proposal is the creation of a regulatory agency called the "National Cannabis Control and Management Agency". This agency would be responsible for issuing licenses for all cannabis-related activities, as well as for controlling product quality and overseeing prevention and harm reduction measures.
Cannabis production would be authorized for farmers who requested it, as well as for "Cannabis Social Clubs", which would be included in the legal framework. Cannabis would be sold in specialized stores, which could also offer consumption areas similar to Dutch coffeeshops. A taxation system would be set up, with a 33% tax and fixed charges depending on the quantity purchased.
Points to clarify:
Although the proposal covers many aspects of cannabis regulation, there are still a few grey areas. Some points require further clarification, including self-cultivation (how many plants would be authorized?), the minimum age for buying or legally cultivating cannabis (18, 21 or 25?), the question of automatic erasure of criminal records for people convicted of cannabis-related offenses, and transition mechanisms for players on the illegal market to the legal market. In addition, the possibility of home delivery was not specified.
Future prospects:
If passed, the bill would come into force on January 1, 2030. In the meantime, the Agence nationale de contrôle et de gestion du cannabis would be responsible for defining a precise regulatory framework. This proposal has the merit of sparking a constructive debate on the legalization of cannabis in France, especially in the face of current conservative resistance. Senator Devinaz sees it as a step in the right direction towards breaking the silence and tackling the issue responsibly.
Conclusion: Senator Gilbert-Luc Devinaz's proposal for the controlled legalization of cannabis paves the way for a more in-depth debate on the issue in France. If adopted, this proposal would provide a clear regulatory framework for the production, sale and consumption of cannabis. However, certain aspects still require clarification, notably self-cultivation, minimum age and transition mechanisms for players on the illegal market. In any case, this parliamentary initiative marks a significant step towards a more progressive approach to cannabis policy in France.