Will pot be soon legalized ?
Liza Burnichon et Damien Hoarau
Although
France is one of the most legally conservative countries in Europe, its
rate of cannabis consumption is one of the highest in Europe
Arrests for possession of cannabis doubled in France between 2005 and
2010. Criminals became better organized during this period and it became
easier to find high quality cannabis. The war on drugs is ineffective
and expensive, not only in France but everywhere. That is why more and
more French politicians are discussing to legalize pot consumption.Shrinking criminal activity is the main aim of the legalization drive. Several US state governments expect to retake the pot market from criminal networks, although Colorado has not noticed a significant decrease of the criminal activity two years after legalization.
Legalizing pot consumption should reduce government spending. The war against pot may cost up to €910 million per year in France. Half of it finances the penal system, including trials, investigations and imprisonments. The other half is used for prevention campaigns and welfare programs. Furthermore, marijuana tax revenue may top nearly €200 million a year for the government.
In order to justify infatuation for marijuana legalization, let’s take an example from a country which has experienced cannabis legalization.
In the USA, it is still forbidden to consume, sell or possess cannabis,
but about twenty American States have already completely or partially
decriminalized. Oregon, Alaska and the capital city will join Colorado
and the state of Washington which have already legalized marijuana for
recreational use.
Uruguay, with its 3.3 million inhabitants, is currently the only country
which allows civilians to grow, distribute or sell marijuana under
State authority. The senator, who wrote law, Luis Gallo, said “
legalization does not mean all-out liberation”. According to the law,
the State will supervise all production and commercialization from seed
importation to sale in specialized drugstore.
Although physical addiction to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the
principal psychoactive ingredient of the cannabis plant, has not been
proven. Only 10% of the people who smoke marijuana will become addicted
to it.
The United
States have admitted this fact, as alcohol consumption is forbidden for
people under 21 years old. President Obama himself claimed that smoking
marijuana is less dangerous than drinking alcohol.
Why
won’t the french government consider regulated use of cannabis, similar
to that of alcohol or tobacco, two other addictive and harmful
substances?
Sources :
Le Parisien
Contrepoint
La Tribune
Le Figaro
L'Expess
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