The Appel du 18 joint is a manifesto calling for the legalization of

cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: ''Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternatively ...

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, published on 18 June 1976 in the daily

Libération ''Libération'' (), popularly known as ''Libé'' (), is a daily newspaper in France, founded in Paris by Jean-Paul Sartre and Serge July in 1973 in the wake of the protest movements of May 1968. Initially positioned on the far-left of France's ...

. In 1993, the Cannabis Information and Research Collective brought out the text of the appeal to make it a petition; since then it has organized annual gatherings on 18 June, to challenge public opinion and relaunch the debate on the prohibition of cannabis.

Content of the original appeal

Its name is a play on words between the appeal of 18 June and the word "joint", usually designating cannabis cigarettes. The text began as follows: “Cigarettes, pastis, aspirin, coffee, red wine, sedatives are part of our daily life. On the other hand, a simple “joint” of cannabis can lead you to prison or to a psychiatrist.” The manifesto called for "the total decriminalization of cannabis, its use, its possession, its cultivation (self-production) or its introduction on French territory in quantity of current consumption". The text clearly specifies that it does not call for consumption but for the end of a policy which denies the subject. The signatories then demanded the establishment of legislation identical to that of the Netherlands, which has tolerated the sale and consumption of cannabis since 1976. Many personalities from the entertainment world, intellectuals, and doctors have signed this text.

Partial list of the 1976 signatories

Among the signatories of the appeal are: Jean Jacques Abrahams,

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Gathering of 18 Joint

The IARC, an association created in 1991, took up the idea in 1993, by organizing a meeting in Paris and Lyon every 18 June to demand the legalization of cannabis. From the 2010s, gatherings have multiplied in the provinces ( Toulouse, Tours, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, Lille, etc.). Besides the festive and convivial aspect of the gatherings, the 18th joint is one of the rare occasions to discuss drugs publicly. Thus, many personalities occasionally join the meeting of 18 Joint, including some political representatives.

Meetings in 2013

In 2013, gatherings took place in different cities of France for the appeal of the 18 Joint:"Appel du 18 joint 2013" - Site internet du CIRC
/ref> *Paris - Large lawn of La Villette, on 18 June at 18 hours. *Lyon - Grande prairie, Gerland park (Lyon 7 th ), at 6 p.m. *Toulouse - Parc Compans, on 18 June at 18 hours. *Lille - Matisse Garden, on 18 June at 18 hours. *La Roche-sur-Yon - Prefecture Square, 6 p.m. *Papeete ( Tahiti ) - Bougainville Park, at 4 p.m. *St Leu (Reunion) - La Falaise, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. *Brive la Gaillarde - Place de La Guierle, at 6 p.m.

Petition

A petition partly repeating the original appeal, but including new parameters such as medical cannabis was also launched by the IARC and recently collected more than 19,000 signatures.

Partial list of signatories of CIRC petition

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References

{{Reflist Petitions