Prosecutor investigating Weeder marijuana app
France’s app that invites users to take part in the cannabis ‘sharing economy’ has arrived in Brussels
‘The Uber of soft drugs’
Weeder – described by the prosecutor’s office as “the Uber of soft drugs” – was developed in France and has been used there for some time. It has now opened up to users in Brussels. The free app, which is currently only in French, allows anonymous registration and offers an overview of registered dealers in the area using the phone’s location.
Nowhere in the app does the word “sell” appear. Instead, the Weeder website talks of the “sharing culture,” while users use the French word “dépanner” – meaning to help someone out.
If the app is used to initiate the sale of drugs, it could be illegal, the prosecutor’s office said. “First, the possession of cannabis and other soft drugs in this country is still forbidden by law,” a spokesperson said. “Secondly, facilitating the trade in narcotic substances is a crime involving jail sentences of three to five years and fines of €1,000 to €100,000.”
Whether authorities intend to pursue the users of the app is not clear. However, they have promised a number of “specific and appropriate measures”.
Photo courtesy Weeder
