Two French lawmakers announced on Monday a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis use across Europe, though many remain wary about its success given timing and political considerations. Furthermore, their efforts coincide with France’s medical cannabis program ending unexpectedly.
Ludovic Mendes of EPR party and Antoine Leaument from La France Insoumise have proposed creating a public agency to oversee cannabis production and sales, similar to how France regulates gambling, according to French news site Entrevue.
The 60-point plan would authorize licensed farmers to grow cannabis, permit specialty shops and “cannabis social clubs,” similar to Spain’s model, as well as limited home cultivation. All sales would undergo stringent age verification measures and quality controls prior to being allowed for sale.
France boasts some of Europe’s harshest drug laws despite having one of the highest consumption rates with over 4 million regular cannabis users, according to Addictions France estimates. Lawmakers hope legalization will go before public vote by capitalizing on President Emmanuel Macron’s history of encouraging referendums for key social issues.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is pushing back, intensifying pressure against drug users. Police unions warn legalization could strengthen criminal networks while Senator Etienne Blanc warned it could result in “an explosion in consumption”, according to Entrevue.
France recently extended their medical cannabis pilot program, comprising approximately 1,800 patients, through July 31. However, an expected wider medical program this year remains in doubt as its mention wasn’t mentioned in France’s budget, amid political changes according to Alliance Global Partners.
So while France’s medical agency approved for now to continue this program, political turmoil – with seven health ministers being changed since two years – has delayed implementation according to Dr. Nadine Attal who ran a Paris hospital’s clinical trial, according to Radio France International last month.
Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ: ACB), along with some other companies, recently participated in a trial program for epilepsy and multiple sclerosis from April 2019 until March 2024.
Lawmakers Mendes and Leaument also propose decriminalizing possession of smaller amounts of cocaine while creating whistleblower protections to combat private sector corruption, according to an Entrevue report.
French lawmakers push legalization plan forward despite opposition – MEDCAN24
