France has the highest cannabis consumption in Europe. It’s high time to tax it | Alexander Hurst

With the nation's finances in a parlous state, decriminalisation could raise millions of euros - as well as cut crime

France might not be broke, but the state of its public finances is, well, definitely not good. Total debt stands at 3.2tn - 112% of GDP. Interest payments on that debt are the second largest public expenditure after education (which includes everything from creche, or preschool, to universities) and are higher than the amount spent on defence. And this year's budget deficit is projected to be 6%, three points above the EU's 3% limit.

If it weren't for the euro, France might very well be in the throes of a fiscal crisis - as it is, interest rates on some French debt are higher than for Portugal or Spain.