Spot fines of 200 euros ($233) have been tested in several French cities in recent weeks and will now be applied nationwide, Castex said, ruling out a decriminalisation of cannabis.
A French law dating back to 1970 allows for illicit drug use to be punished with up to a year in prison and fined with up to 3,750 euros, but few users actually do jail time.
French people are Europe's leading consumers of cannabis and hold the number three spot for cocaine use.
The new measure would simplify police procedures by "inflicting punishment without delay", Castex said during a visit to the southern port city of Nice, and would be an efficient tool against sale points run by drug dealers "which are eating away at neighbourhoods".
If paid within two weeks the fine will be reduced to 150 euros, but will rise to 450 euros unless settled within 45 days.
The move honours an election campaign pledge by President Emmanuel Macron, who said spot fines should be used to deter petty crimes that often end up unpunished in overloaded courts.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
The French and their drugs
Huh. I didn't think that France under Macron would be keen to crack down on marijuana, but there you go. More reason for me to like the country:
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Being down on purified cocaine is understandable. I think the leaves themselves should be fine though, and a coca-leaf tea ought to be available in the mornings. But where is this anti-marijuana Naziism coming from? What sort of lefty are you? Don't mind the spot fines idea. But for marijuana?
Where is this coming from exactly? Peter Hitchens would agree but few other reasonable men.
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