Interview Anne Coppel - Expogrow Irún 2015

Transcript of interview with Anne Coppel:

Hello Anne Coppel, welcome to our stand here in Expogrow.
Is it your first trade fair?

Yes, this is my first fair!

What do you think of this type of event? How much do they help to civilize/normalize the use of marijuana?

Yes, I think they are very useful, because there is a whole …. There is a lot of information, and that is the first step to reduce the risks associated with consumption, and we must begin with knowledge. I think trade fairs are very useful in this respect.

Do they widen the perspective of both the general public and the consumers with regard to marijuana ?

Yes and I think they help to destigmatize marijuana and bring it out of the ghetto.

Now, all over the world, in the United States or in Spain, there is a movement of liberalization of drug policies, and in particular of cannabis. 

What is missing in France to change things?

What is missing is political courage, because in the 90’s Europe was at the forefront of liberalization and the USA was the world police.

Now, it is them who are leading the way and us who are falling behind like fools, just watching while others advance.

Speaking of the United States, the legalization has generated a very lucrative industry, do you think we could lose the militant touch of the marijuana grower/consumer that we previously had?

Yes definitely! It is surely what is going to happen, but that it is preferable to seeing growers and users imprisoned.

Yeah! Thank you very much for these questions, we hope you enjoy the fair, do you have anything to add for the people of Alchimia?

No,no,no … see you again next year!

We hope so! In the meantime perhaps there will be some progress in France. We look forward to more positive questions.

Thank you very much.