France: MP takes cannabis to Parliament to ask for legalization

French deputy François-Michel Lambert caused controversy in Parliament by taking cannabis into the Chamber, denouncing criminalization and calling for a change in policy. The feat came a day before a multi-party parliamentary report advocating the legalization of cannabis was published.

Lambert also said that the ban "is a total failure" and that "legalization would make it possible to end trafficking, generate tax revenue and create jobs." Then he surprised the other deputies by showing a cup with a cannabis leaf, from which he took a joint.

“Other countries have chosen to face the problem instead of adopting the ostrich policy” like France, said the deputy.

Richard Ferrand, president of the French National Assembly, immediately rebuked Lambert, raising the possibility of paying a fine, but a group of majority deputies who support the government in the National Assembly wrote a report, defending the regulated legalization of cannabis in France in the face of “hypocrisy of speech” regarding the consumption of this drug in the country.

“A The ban adopted more than 50 years ago has a somewhat unattainable objective, without ever having had the means to achieve its ambitions. A regulated legalization is the best way to regain control and protect the French”, said Caroline Janvier, deputy for the majority Republique En Marche, in statements to Agence France Presse.

The delegation of deputies also noted “the failure” of public policies in France, having heard doctors, police, magistrates and researchers.

Deputies analyzed the cases of countries such as Canada or several states in the United States of America where the use of cannabis is already regulated, which has resulted in a decrease in consumption by minors, as well as a reduction in the black market.

According to the deputies, this will be a topic to be analyzed in 2022, after the presidential elections, which will take place in May next year.