“Do you think that the current system of repression of cannabis consumption makes it possible to limit its extent?”“Compared to tobacco consumption, in your opinion, the risks associated with cannabis consumption are equivalent, more serious or less serious?”

This Wednesday, January 13, the parliamentary information mission on the regulation and impact of the different uses of cannabis launched an online citizen consultation on cannabis said “recreationalAs a reminder, in France, the consumption, possession and sale of cannabis are prohibited.

This consultation is presented in the form of a survey posted on the website of the National Assembly for a period of six weeks. The fact-finding mission must deliver its report on cannabis “recreational” around “end of March-beginning of April“, told AFP its president, the member of Essonne Robin Reda (LR).

One in two French people in favor of a change in legislation

“The approach is not to show how to legalize, but that there is a real expectation of citizens on the subject“of the evolution of the legislation, told the press the deputy of Moselle Ludovic Mendes (LREM), one of the rapporteurs of the mission which, since its launch in January 2020, has heard from many specialists and professionals.

“The questionnaire will make it possible to understand how public opinion perceives these subjects, what are their expectations in terms of public policy and the arsenal (legislative, editor’s note) associated with the consumption and trafficking of cannabis.“, underlined for her part the member of Loiret Caroline Janvier (LREM).

It will also “verify the finding made by polls according to which nearly one in two French people are in favor of a change in legislation“, added the rapporteur on recreational cannabis.

Main consumers on the continent

This subject deserves to be “treated in a less caricatured way than it has often been, with the moral argument that often makes it difficult to move forward“, continued the elected.

Member of the Ardèche Michèle Victory (PS) stressed the “economic importance” of an evolution of legislation in France, one of the most repressive in Europe while its inhabitants are the main consumers of cannabis on the continent, with 5 million users per year and 900,000 daily smokers.

“In fairly rural areas where agriculture can be in difficulty, many young farmers want to get started on these (cannabis) farms but there is enormous legislative vagueness. There is a need for clarification,” a she thus developed.

After looking into therapeutic cannabis and before the report on “recreational” cannabis, the parliamentary fact-finding mission is due to deliver, by mid-February, its conclusions on so-called “well-being” cannabis (cannabidiol , or CBD).

Authorized in 2019 by the National Assembly but postponed by the health crisis, experimentation with therapeutic cannabis (except for smoking) for at least 3,000 patients suffering from serious diseases must begin no later than March 31.