Bègles, a suburb of the city of Bordeaux, has announced plans to trial legal cannabis.
Recognising that the old ways of prohibiting cannabis haven’t worked, the town is taking a fresh approach.
Their experiment focuses on prevention, harm reduction, crime reduction, and supporting cannabis consumers.
The goal? To create a regulated system for cannabis use and sales, filling the gaps left by the illegal market.
Three main aims
This project, outlined in a booklet, has three main aims:
- International alignment: Bègles aims to stay in step with global trends in cannabis legalisation while respecting EU laws.
- National change: France struggles with high cannabis use despite strict laws. Bègles hopes to offer a better way, reducing the harms of prohibition.
- Local innovation: Situated in a region where cannabis is common, Bègles wants to lead the charge in public health, with a plan covering prevention, risk reduction, and community support.
Inspired by successful Swiss trials, the project aims to improve public health, cut down on crime, ease pressure on law enforcement, boost agriculture, and fill government coffers with tax revenue from legal sales.
Details
Drawing on global experiences and expert advice, Bègles crafted a detailed plan. It includes strict oversight by committees to ensure fairness and transparency.
Unlike in countries where cannabis is fully legal, Bègles will sell only cannabis flower, not stronger products like extracts or edibles.
Prices will aim to undercut the illegal market by 10%.
The experiment will begin with the inclusion of 100 existing cannabis users, offering dedicated spaces and relying on private partners for cultivation.
Costs are estimated at €672,250, with yearly evaluations tracking attendance, purchases, and prevention efforts.
To proceed, however, Bègles needs national approval, and have already drafted the necessary legislation, hoping to win support from the President and Prime Minister.
With luck, the experiment will soon be underway.
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