A truck, flags, a sound system and joints… They want to be able to consume cannabis freely. About forty activists who plead for the legalization of this drug gathered on Saturday noon on the Place de la République, to participate in the "Cannaparade". A march which, in several forms, has been held for twenty years in Paris. The participants, sometimes tattooed, long hair or even shirtless, displayed the color. "Me, cannabis has always been part of my life," explains this young woman who comes from Poissy (Yvelines). I would like to be able to buy them in stores with complete freedom and for the products to be better controlled ”.
Black police cap screwed on the head, Fanny, one of the organizers of the meeting, explains that the movement is spreading on social networks under the banner of the "stoner's page".
"There are 250,000 subscribers," assures this employee in a shop in Amiens (Somme) which sells CBD, light cannabis without active principle.
She would like cannabis, which also has medicinal benefits, to be able to be sold legally.
A solution that would allow his business to no longer be left in the hands of "anyone".
The small parade was supervised by the police.
The police commissioner recalls the law
About thirty officials supervised the procession to Bastille. And it is the commissioner Julien Herbaut who is responsible for the reminder of the law. “The right to demonstrate is guaranteed, but the use, possession and sale of narcotics remains an offense,” he explains. The police are responsible for carrying out checks ”. Officials who catch smokers in the act will have to issue them a fine of 250 euros which can be increased to 450 euros.
“It is a device that the local security department of the Parisian agglomeration has appropriated very well because since the beginning of the year we have already drawn up 6,135 minutes, adds the commissioner. This device makes it possible to enforce the law and if the quantity of drugs is important, it would be a classic procedure with a police custody ”. The results of the operation should be known at the end of the day.