A Breton couple managing a store selling equipment for indoor cultivation was sentenced Monday, December 21 to eight months in prison, in particular for having advised cannabis growers.
The Rennes criminal court also ordered a confiscation of the seals for an amount of approximately 13,000 euros.
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Gaëlle, 41, and Damien, 40, manager of the “
Culture Indoor
”
store
near Rennes since 2004, were convicted of aiding the use of narcotics, complicity in the unauthorized use of narcotics and complicity in an offer and unauthorized disposal of narcotics.
They were accused of selling equipment intended exclusively for indoor cannabis cultivation and of giving advice "
from cutting to harvest
" to certain customers.
Highlighting their "
passion for plants
", the two traders retorted that their products could just as well be used to grow cacti, orchids or tomatoes.
“
The product was legal, we didn't ask ourselves a question,
” explained Gaëlle, red scarf, glasses and brown curly hair.
“
We work with orchid enthusiasts and vegetable growers
,” added Damien, brown hair and a growing beard, while acknowledging that some customers were growing cannabis.
"
I had doubts about some people but no certainty,
" said Gaëlle, who did not want to "
incriminate
" her clients.
According to wiretaps, the defendants were advising clients who were obviously cannabis growers, including one who complained about the overly strong smell of his plants (never named).
"
Nobody reproaches them for being mini Pablo Escobar, it is quite obvious
", admitted Jordan Abedi, deputy prosecutor of Rennes, who however judged that they were "
dangerous for our fellow citizens and for public health
" .
“
They are perfectly aware of the destination of their advice.
And, without these cannabis growers, their activity is not viable,
”he added, requesting an 18-month suspension.
The defense denounced "
the immense hypocrisy
" of the prosecution "
when we see the trivialization of this material
", especially on the internet, noted Me Stéphane Peltier.
Me Camille Delva admitted that his clients had made a “
mistake
” by not repealing certain clients and by giving them advice.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 people grow cannabis at home, according to the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT).
To meet this demand, stores specializing in the sale of equipment has quintupled in ten years, according to the OFDT, to reach 300 brands in 2016.
