The National Assembly voted the creation of a fixed fine of 200 euros to punish the illegal use of narcotics.

The National Assembly voted Friday night the creation of a fixed fine of 200 euros to better punish the illegal use of narcotics, hitherto only repressed by a prison sentence and a large fine, not often pronounced.

The article, adopted by the deputies by 28 votes to 14 during the first reading of the justice reform project, intends to respond to the steady increase in the number of cannabis users: 5 million in 2017, including 700,000 daily users, according to official figures.

The Minister of Justice Nicole Belloubet defended a measure that "results from important work" of the parliamentary information mission on cannabis led notably by Eric Pouillat (LREM), ensuring that the lump sum fine "works well for d other types of contraventions .

She also insisted on "the range of possible answers" , with the public prosecutor retaining the possibility of prosecuting the offense in the Criminal Court. The repressive framework established since 1970 provides, whatever the drug, that the offender risks up to one year in prison and 3,750 euros fine.

Risk of targeting disadvantaged youth

Several elected representatives of the left have pointed out the lack of health response with this measure, the minister retorting that the fine "will not lead to a break in the public health response" .

For these reasons in particular, Pierre Dharréville (PCF) defended an amendment to delete the article, also highlighting the risk of targeting disadvantaged youth.

"It is not this type of provisions that will lead to improve health status , " said David Habib (PS), denouncing the "unequal" nature of the measure. "Are we going to fix the problem like that? Asked Ugo Bernalicis (LFI). "If you want to fight against trafficking and smugglers, let's legalize," he said.

Marine Le Pen (RN) for its part felt that the device was already "to allow consumption" , given the "low" amount of the fine, denouncing a "hypocrisy" .

Fine revised downward

The lump sum, which was originally 300 euros, was revised downwards in committee to 200 euros to avoid the insolvency of users. Several associations, some magistrates and police have predicted "the announced failure" of yet another repressive measure.

In addition to the illicit use of narcotics, the article extends the scope of the lump-sum fine to include other offenses, including the sale and supply of alcohol to a minor and road transport in violation of time limits. . The MPs added in committee the offense of selling on the sly, the minister also committing himself in session to create "by regulation" a ticket to sanction the purchase of tobacco sold on the sly, in response to a request for elected LREM.

At the initiative also of "walkers" , the deputies have added the offense of occupation of lobbies to the lump sum fine. The minister has issued a "wisdom" opinion , arguing in particular of the risk of "systematic oppositions" because the offenses will be "too complicated" to characterize.

They also extended the lump sum fine procedure to the penalties for the abuse of animals.