Emmanuel Macron Implements Immediate Payment for Cannabis Fines in France

In a move to enhance the enforcement of cannabis-related fines, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that fines could now be paid immediately via card or cash. This decision comes in response to a low collection rate of only 35% for cannabis fines, which have been issued since September 2020. To facilitate this change, 5,000 payment terminals will be distributed to law enforcement officers by the end of summer

Since the introduction of fixed fines for cannabis consumption, over 350,000 penalties have been issued across France, with 29,000 in Marseille alone. However, the current system, which allows payments within 45 to 60 days, has resulted in insufficient compliance. Macron has described this situation as "unacceptable" and has instructed the Interior Minister to draft a decree to enable immediate payments, thereby attempting to improve the collection rate

The police union, Unité SGP Police, has expressed opposition to this new measure. The union argues that police officers should not be burdened with the role of collecting fines, especially in cash. Grégory Joron, the union's secretary general, voiced concerns that this initiative complicates the duties of police officers, who are primarily focused on law enforcement rather than financial transactions

The fixed fine system, initially trialed in several cities and later expanded nationwide, aims to streamline the process of penalizing drug consumers. In 2022, the Bouches-du-Rhône region alone saw a 50% increase in fines, with 18,600 penalties issued. Despite these efforts, there remains a significant pushback from various organizations advocating for the decriminalization of cannabis use in France

Looking forward, the implementation of immediate payment options for cannabis fines may lead to increased compliance and efficiency in the legal system. However, the controversy surrounding this measure highlights ongoing debates about drug policy in France. As the government continues to enforce strict regulations, the conversation about the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis remains a contentious issue