Elected officials and doctors demand the legalization of cannabis for medical use

Several elected PS, LREM, EELV and doctors seek the legalization in France of cannabis for "therapeutic use", which could according to they appease the suffering of 300,000 patients, in a forum published Sunday by Le Parisien.

"Producing cannabis for therapeutic use in France is no longer an option but a necessity", say these doctors and elected officials, including Senator PS Rachid Témal, Mayor PS of Strasbourg Roland Ries, deputies LREM Sonia Krimi, Jean-Baptiste Moreau, and Florent Boudié, Mayor EELV of Grenoble Eric Piolle and Mayor EELV of the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, Jacques Boutault

"Why maintain the seal of the interdict and the legislative arsenal and regulation that accompanies it with respect to more than 300,000 patients who could alleviate their suffering otherwise? ", they ask, recalling that 33 countries have partially or fully legalized cannabis for medical use.

These elected and doctors argue "the effectiveness of the product in the management of chronic pain, physical disorders caused by chemotherapy and muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis" and emphasize that his "mo of action and (its) mode of administration such as vaporization cause almost no side effects ".

They also see the possible emergence of "a promising economic sector" with the "creation of direct and induced jobs".

Health Minister Agnès Buzyn is opposed to the legalization of cannabis use. "A cannabis cigarette has exactly the same toxicity as a tobacco cigarette in terms of lung diseases" and cancer risks, she told LCI on July 4, also referring to "cognitive disorders" that cause young people with learning difficulties

But, she told RTL on June 17, "we can have a therapeutic exception when it comes to relieving people for whom we do not have drugs".