Cannabis: Study backs risk-led approach, France still pushing criminalisation

The EMCDDA estimates that in Europe, 8% of 25-64 year-olds, or 22.5 million people, used cannabis in 2022
Euractiv (Europe)
Friday, June 23, 2023

france cannabis2As a new European report pushes for greater communication of cannabis use risks, France is banking on a policy of prohibition, the effectiveness of which remains to be proven. Cannabis remains the most widely consumed illicit drug in the EU, according to the latest report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The report stresses the need for effective risk communication strategies to inform consumers “about the adverse health effects associated with new substances, drug-drug interactions and products with a high active ingredient content”. However, France is instead betting on a sanctions-based approach through strict legislation, where consumers risk not only a fine but prison time.