Some 545 drug users were imposed the new fine of 200 euros experienced since June and July in five cities in France and which will be generalized at the start of the school year, announced Thursday August 27 the public prosecutor of Rennes.
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Since June 16, Rennes has been experimenting with the fixed tort fine of 200 euros (150 euros if the payment takes place within 15 days and 450 euros beyond 45 days) with Créteil, Reims, Marseille and Lille. “ As of August 26, 172 tickets have been issued on the Rennes jurisdiction (out of the 545 for all five jurisdictions). 166 related to cannabis and 7 to cocaine ”, the two eligible substances, within the limit of a certain quantity, within the framework of the experiment, indicated in a press release Philippe Astruc.
The French, the first cannabis consumers in Europe
" 70% of infringement notices were sent to offenders, 32% of whom have already paid the fine, " said the prosecutor. This new device, the effectiveness of which is controversial, aims to act on demand to " bring about a change in user behavior ", he recalled.
The prosecutor estimated with AFP that there were " enough verbalizations to be able to draw lessons in order to improve the device ". Prime Minister Jean Castex announced at the end of July the generalization of this fixed fine from September 1.
A law of 1970 theoretically provides for punishing the illicit use of narcotics up to one year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros, but imprisonment for use remains exceptional, the magistrates favoring " alternative measures to prosecution " such as reminders to the law. Despite one of the most repressive policies in Europe, the French are the leading consumers of cannabis in Europe and rank third for cocaine.