While visiting Marseille, Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the fixed penalty fine for drug use from 200 to 500 euros. The stated goal is to hit consumers harder. “We need to hit them in the wallet, using drugs isn’t a party,” the President emphasized, expressing his frustration with violence related to drug trafficking and young victims of gang conflicts.
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Established in 2019 and implemented since 2020, the AFD allows for immediate penalties for drug use without going through a court. Currently set at 200 euros (150 euros for quick payment, 450 in case of delay), this amount could more than double. This announcement has been welcomed by some police unions, who see it as a strong political signal, but it has already been criticized for being primarily symbolic.
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What does the report on the fixed fine since 2019 reveal?
Four years after its implementation, it’s safe to say that the results of the fixed fine are mixed. Over a million fines have been issued since 2020, mainly for cannabis use. A major issue is the collection. According to figures shared by unions and the Court of Auditors, only about one third of the fines is actually paid.
On the ground, police officers and local officials point out that the system is time-consuming, not very deterring, and has not reduced consumption. France remains the top cannabis-consuming country in Europe, with nearly 6 million users within the year, including about 900,000 daily consumers. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of simply increasing fines.
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Can a higher fine really dissuade consumers?
For many experts, the answer is no. Addiction specialists and social workers remind us that addiction doesn’t follow rational economic logic. Increasing the amount of a penalty won’t stop a dependent consumer from consuming, nor does it address the social and health issues behind trafficking.
Critics also highlight a risk of worsening inequalities: a fine of 500 euros may not be much for some, but it will be crushing for those who are more vulnerable. “We are hitting consumers without offering a solid prevention policy,” cry out several associations, calling for more investment in education, harm reduction, and access to care, especially since waiting times for addiction consultations can be several months.
Has repression achieved its goals ?
Despite the massive resources deployed (police, judicial, and financial), cannabis consumption in France has never been as high. The seizures, often highlighted in official reports, only represent a fraction of the actual trafficking.
, estimated at 5-10%.« We’re emptying the ocean with a teaspoon », summarizes a specialized magistrate, while networks quickly reassemble, based on a simple principle: « as long as there is demand, there will be supply ». Several police officers also express their reluctance to confront the major drug lords, fearing an open war between traffickers and law enforcement, with serious human consequences.
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What if the solution lies in legalizing cannabis ?
In essence, the question of cannabis legalization is back on the table. For many experts, it's the only realistic solution to reduce the black market and fund prevention and care. It would also help to stop criminalizing dependent users, most of whom are not responsible for their addiction. “Telling consumers that they have blood on their hands or that it’s ‘crap’ doesn’t help anyone,” reminds an addiction specialist.
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Several European countries have already started this change: Germany is initiating a regulated legalization, while Luxembourg and Malta have decriminalized use. In France, the illegal cannabis market represents over 2 billion euros a year according to the Economic Analysis Council (CAE), a sum that is currently escaping the State while fueling trafficking.
Legalizing doesn’t mean trivializing, but rather shifting towards a public health policy instead of a punitive one. This is a debate that the presidential announcement clearly brings back into the spotlight.