International
France: Mayor of Bègles proposes experimenting with the legalization of cannabis

The mayor of Bègles, Clément Rossignol-Puech, proposed to make his city, in Gironde, France, the first territory to experiment with the legalization of cannabis. The President believes that the only way to reduce consumption and avoid negative consequences is through highly supervised legalization and hopes to lift the taboo to reopen the debate around this issue.
Clément Rossignol-Puech quoted a recent report of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese), which is in favor of supervised legalization of cannabis for adult/recreational use. It argues that current solutions to drug-related problems have not been successful and that it is time to try something new.
Avis de bon sens rendu par le Cese. En tant que maire confronté aux trafics, I propose à @EmmanuelMacron @Elysium of faire of a commune of #begles en #Gironde le premier territoire d'experimentation pour la culture, la vente et la consommation encadrée du #cannabis recreational https://t.co/8w1wcntYnO
— Clement Rossignol Puech (@clemrossignol) January 25, 2023
A psychiatrist specializing in addiction, Jean-Michel Delile, supports the mayor's proposal, on the condition that legalization is regulated very strictly. Delile notes that cannabis poses a significant public health problem in France, with nearly a million daily users, and can lead to dangerous consequences for young people. He believes it is crucial to maintain a ban on minors and young adults, as cannabis use can be particularly harmful for this age group.
Delile cites examples from North America and other countries, where legalization has led to a reduction in consumption and the creation of effective prevention policies. He believes legalization would allow for more transparent access to care and reduce the stigmatization of addicts.
The mayor claims that France's current and repressive approach to drug issues is not working as it has the most repressive legislation in Europe but still has a large number of users. He hopes that his proposal will be taken into consideration by French President Emmanuel Macron and that he can have a productive debate with ministers on the issue.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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With a professional background in CAD technical drawing (2D and 3D), João Xabregas is an activist and advocate for all uses and applications of cannabis. He discovered and entered the world of cannabis during his youth, where he developed a special interest in the cultivation of the plant, which led him on a journey of self-learning through the world of cannabis that continues to this day. His adventures linked to cannabis cultivation began with the same goal as many others: to be able to guarantee the quality and eliminate any possible risks to his health of what he consumed, as well as to avoid any type of dependence on the illicit market. However, he quickly began to view the world of cannabis and everything related to it with a very different perspective. He admits the enormous passion he has for the most persecuted plant in the world and about which he is always willing to write and have a good conversation.
