What uses of cannabis are illegal in France ? Can you tell why ?
Do you think some or all of these uses should be legalized ? Which ones, and why ?
You get bonus points for :
- comparing with english-speaking countries
- adding the notions of "ideas of progress", "places and forms of power" and/or "spaces and exchanges".
To begin with, the legality of cannabis varies from country to country. However, in most parts of the world, possessing this drug (except for medical reasons) is illegal. So, what uses of cannabis are illegal in France and English speaking countries ? Why ?
ReplyDeleteFirst, let's talk about France : legal uses are very limited. Cultivating, owning, selling and/or smoking cannabis is prohibited in this country. But medications containing cannabis derivatives can be sold since June 2013 and industrial hemp with THC < 0,2% is allowed. Many associations are fighting for its legalization for few reasons : France is the first European country in terms of consumption and it would also help prevention and avoid trafic and illegal activities.
Secondly, in the United-States, laws depends on the territory (the Indian territory in particular), the state and the Federal district. Federal laws classifies cannabis in the same section as heroin, so the federal government can regulate and punish the possession of cannabis, even for medical uses.
Last but not least, Australia is the most tolerant English speaking country about the legalization of this drug. The production is illegal, except in some states, where it is decriminalized. Sale and transport are illegal too, but cultivation is allowed for private use : one or two plants in the whole country and a bit more in the Northern Territory.
To conclude, cannabis is often prohibited in many countries, but we can notice a progress. Therefore, we can link this subject with the notion ''Ideas of progress'' because many countries change their restrictive laws (like UK) in more tolerant laws (like Australia), to allow cannabis for medical reasons (cancer, ...) for exemple.
To begin with, the legality of cannabis varies from country to country. However, in most parts of the world, consuming this drug (except for medical reasons) is illegal. So, what uses of cannabis are illegal in France and English speaking countries ? Why ?
ReplyDeleteFirst, let's talk about France : legal uses are very limited. Cultivatin, owning, selling and/or smoking cannabis is prohibited in this country. But medications containing cannabis derivatives can be sold since June 2013 and industrial hemp with THC < 0,2% is allowed. Many associations are fighting for its legalization for few reasons : France is the first European country in terms of quantities consumed, it would also help prevention and avoid trafic and illegal activities.
Secondly, in the United-States, laws depends on the territory (the Indian territory in particular), the state and the Federal district. Federal laws classifies cannabis in the same section as heroin, so the federal government can regulate and punish the possession of cannabis, even for medical uses.
Last but not least, Australia is the most tolerant English speaking country about the legalization of this drug. The production is illegal, except in some states, where it's sometimes decriminalized. Sale and transport are illegal, but cultivation is allowed for private use : one or two plants are legal in the whole country and a bit more in the Northern Territory.
To conclude, cannabis is often prohibited in many countries, but we can notice a progress. Therefore, we can link this subject with the notion ''Ideas of progress'' because many countries change their restrictive laws in more tolerant laws, to allow cannabis for medical reasons (cancer, ...) for exemple.
Oh, I didn't know it was now legal for medical use (my source were probably older than 2013) ! That's a very good thing, since, well, morphine is already used alot, so it makes sense.
DeleteYou didn't state your personal opinions, thought, I'd like to know them (even shortly, y'know) : )
I think French state have to legalize cannabis to permit prevention and take care of the cannabis users. Moreover legalize cannabis will avoid illegal traffics. I also think that, depending on the quantities, alcohol is sometimes more dangerous than cannabis, so this is a bit paradoxal...
DeleteTo begin with, the legalization of cannabis isn't an easy question around the world. The legality of cannabis for general or recreational use varies from country to country. So, let's see the differences between some countries of the world and especially what uses of cannabis are illegal in France and why? I'll also try to answer to the question: Do I think these uses should be legalized and why?
ReplyDeleteAs Sophie said, legal uses are very limited in France. French laws forbids production, possesion, sale, purchase and use of narcotics, including cannabis, with more or less severe punishment depending on the nature of the offence. (cf Places and forms of power) Regarding cannabis consumption, the maximum punishment is 1 year of imprisonment, or a fine of up to 3750€. However, depending on the exact context of the case, it is possible for a cannabis consumer to be prosecuted as a drug trafficker. Indeed, consuming cannabis generally involves possession, which results from either purchasing the substance from the black market, or producing it. Consumers arrested with small quantities of cannabis are therefore rarely prosecuted, provided it can be proven there is no tie to production or trafficking.
Cannabis production is also punished by French law, with a penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment, or with a fine of up to to 7 500 000€. Medicinal cannabis is not authorized in France, which means that production for "personal use" is also prohibited. But in fact, Sophie was right, in June 2013, a decree was published and authorized cannabis-based medicine, but not medicinal cannabis.
On the opposite, one of our neighbouring state, Spain, has legalized possession of cannabis in private and closed spaces only, but further, in the United States for example, it is illegal at the federal level but legal at the state level within some states. (cf Spaces and exchanges)
Then, in my opinion, I don't really think it should be legalized in France, or maybe in some very restrictives ways or in order to cure some diseases with scientific serious prooves. Then, I read that in november 2013, an institute showed that 55% of French citizens were opposed to decriminalization of cannabis. In particular, 73% of senior citizens opposed the idea, as well as 44% of citizens aged 18 to 24. However, 44% of French citizens, regardless of age, still consider the forbidding of cannabis to be an infringement of individual liberties.
To conclude, I wanted to talk about very few political parties in France that are favourable to cannabis legalisation. An association founded in 2009 called "Cannabis Sans Frontières", has been represented in elections at European and legislative levels in 2009, 2012 and 2014. While their representatives gathered less than 1% of votes, their aim isn't only to legalise cannabis in France, but also to "raise global awareness about cannabis and their multiple ecological benefits". (cf Ideas of progress) I would say that I'm a bit sceptical about which "ecological benefits" they talk about and I'm very curious to know which one they are.
Last but not least, I wanted to ask Sophie (and the others) if you think that legalize cannabis will permit prevention or will really avoid traffics? I have some doubts, but I completly agree with the comparaison with alcohol.
To begin with,the question of legalization of cannabis is not approached in all countries in the world, but in English-speaking countries this question is not taboo and some of them ( USA ) legalized cannabis.
ReplyDeleteFirst in France the legal use of drugs is very limited. We can't own, sell, cultivate or smoke cannabis but for medicinal use it has to contain less than 0.2%THC. The French government doesn't legalize cannabis because there will be to many drugs addicts even the legalization would increase the economy. Conversely USA legalized cannabis in some States(Washington) , we could linked to situation with the notion idea of progress: indeed it is an improvement for the citizen who used some drugs before legalization. Furthermore the government earns billions of dollar each year with this.
I think it would be a great idea to legalize cannabis in France , it will be an economic benefit. I know every drug is dangerous bu if we control the use of cannabis it will have less problem than today. For the others drugs I would say that it will be more dangerous if we legalize them
To conclude we can say that cannabis is drug the more legalized around the world and a lot of countries think bout legalization taking into account the different countries like Uruguay or USA