The deputy La France Insoumise (LFI) for Haute-Garonne made an appointment with Newsweed in his office at the National Assembly. Between a book by Jean Jaurès and a work on nuclear power, the president of the cannabis study group says to himself ” happy “ of his new role, even if he still has a lot to learn about cannabis. Like his predecessor, he is in favor of a “framed legalization of cannabis” in France.
Newsweed: Before becoming an MP, you worked for 15 years at La Poste, then in the administration of the University of Toulouse. In the Assembly, you sit on the National Defense Committee. How did you end up in this cannabis group?
Christophe Bex: When the president of the LFI group, Mathilde Panot, asked the deputies in which study group each wanted to sit, I applied for the group on rurality, because I grew up in the Meuse, and on the cannabis. I have always found the French model absurd. And then cannabis is a cross-cutting subject, where we talk about justice, security, public health… That’s how I found myself president of the study group on cannabis! But for now, I’m all alone in this group (he smiles).
What will be its composition? And his role?
The secretariat of the National Assembly will send a message to all deputies, then I will welcome the new members. It would be good if there were fifteen of us, from all political stripes. On the role, I have no ambition to reinvent hot water, but we will conduct auditions. Moreover, I have already been contacted by the collective “Police against prohibition“. And then, why not write a bill.
“I am in favor of supervised legalization”
Will you contact Robin Reda (ex-LR, now Renaissance), president of the cannabis information mission during the previous mandate?
(He notes his name in a notebook, then checks on his computer if Mr. Reda is still a deputy) Yes, as well as all the deputies who have worked on cannabis. I will also speak with my colleagues from LFI, Eric Coquerel and Ugo Bernalicis, who have tabled several bills to legalize cannabis.
During the hearings, will you hear representatives of cannabis consumers, who are often overlooked?
You are right. In our society, during debates on television, we invite many “knowledgeable” people but we do not leave room for people, the first concerned. This is particularly the case at the moment, with the pension reform. If you ask the question to a driver, you will quickly understand that he cannot work two more years.
On cannabis, I say “yes” to question representatives of consumers or former consumers. I would like to know their age, their background, their relationship with cannabis, whether they are addicted or not. You can’t work on a subject if you don’t talk to the first people concerned.
Robin Reda said he was in favor of a “security legalization” cannabis. L’former rapporteur Caroline Janvier (Renaissance) told Newsweed his fondness for a “State-framed legalization”. And you?
I am also for legalization supervised by the State, with a ban on sales to minors, and consumption authorized only in identified places. Cannabis cultivation should be local and non-capital intensive, organic if possible, with a capped THC level. I am also for the right to cultivate cannabis at home, in order to prevent large groups from dominating the market. My goal is to protect young people and reduce consumption.
During the last term, several bills to legalize cannabis were passed. They all failed. Will you keep trying your luck?
Yes. We need to find a majority, but I think it’s not impossible. In the Assembly today there are many deputies in their forties who are not shocked by the fact that one may have smoked a joint in one’s youth. This was not the case a few years ago. So we can bring together elected officials from all sides if we explain that we want to fight against trafficking, reduce consumption, and free up time for the police.
The cannabis fine does not work. Two out of three fines are not paid, some poor departments (Bouches-du-Rhône, Seine-Saint-Denis) are more targeted than others. What should be done ?
What is certain is that it is not the fault of the consumers. It’s the fault of the system. Penalizing consumption won’t solve anything, as long as there’s always a box of candy in the middle of the table. Rather, it is necessary to bring an activity to these young people. When they smoke, they think of nothing else.
In March 2024, experimentation around therapeutic cannabis will end, three years after it began. Is it time to legalize the medical use of cannabis?
(He notes a few words in his notebook). I will follow this closely. If there is a vote, LFI will vote for it. It would be an excellent signal, one more step towards potential generalized legalization. On therapeutic cannabis, we are behind in France. When we see patients with multiple sclerosis, it is better that they have access to cannabis rather than filling themselves with drugs.
Regarding CBD, how did you view the long legal battle?
I had followed from afar and discussed with shop owners. But that says a lot about the day we will decriminalize or legalize cannabis in France. It’s going to be a long battle, there will always be this resistance.
Do you think that the democratization of CBD can help the French to better understand – and accept – cannabis?
Yes. With the CBD, shops are visible in the landscape. Some will be curious, push the door, see cannabis flowers, take some information. They may tell themselves that it doesn’t take much for a CBD shop to turn into a “cannabistro” (he smiles).
