French Mayor Proposes Bègles as Cannabis Legalization Pilot Zone
Bègles Mayor Clément Rossignol-Puech proposes the town as a pilot zone for cannabis legalization, urging President Macron to consider local experimentation
Key Points
- 1Bègles Mayor proposes local cannabis legalization experiment
- 2The initiative aims to address public safety and illicit trade
- 3Other French mayors support cannabis legalization efforts
- 4Conservative mayors also advocate for policy change
- 5Swiss models inspire French cannabis reform discussions
Clément Rossignol-Puech, the mayor of Bègles, has proposed his town as a testing ground for cannabis legalization in France. Inspired by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council's recommendation for legalizing cannabis, Rossignol-Puech wrote to President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting Bègles become an experimental site for the cultivation, sale, and consumption of recreational cannabis
In his letter, Rossignol-Puech emphasized the need for local action, proposing a state-controlled environment where cannabis could be sold in limited quantities. The initiative aims to address public safety concerns related to illicit cannabis trade, which has plagued areas like the Terre-Neuve neighborhood since the 1960s. The mayor believes that such a controlled experiment could offer practical solutions to persistent issues
Rossignol-Puech is not alone in his advocacy for cannabis legalization. Other French mayors, including Eric Piolle of Grenoble, have long supported the idea, criticizing the ineffectiveness of strict prohibition policies. Piolle argues that local leaders are pragmatic and should be allowed to experiment with cannabis legalization to find workable solutions to drug-related problems
The call for cannabis legalization is not limited to left-wing politicians. In 2020, mayors from Reims, Châteauroux, and Charleville-Mézières, all members of the conservative party Les Républicains, also advocated for a shift away from prohibition. They suggested a phased approach, starting with local experimentation, to assess the impact of legalization before implementing it nationwide
The movement for cannabis reform in France draws inspiration from neighboring Switzerland, where cities like Basel have initiated controlled cannabis access programs. These programs could serve as models for France, offering insights into how a regulated market might operate. As interest in cannabis legalization grows, local leaders continue to push for opportunities to experiment and address the challenges posed by the illegal cannabis market