The key distinction enshrined in the system is the difference between medical, industrial, commercial and scientific uses on the one hand, which are considered to be legitimate, and recreational use on the other hand, which, since the early 20th century, has been considered to be illegitimate.
La distinction fondamentale sur laquelle repose le système est la distinction entre l'utilisation médicale, industrielle, commerciale et scientifique d'une part, ce que l'on appelle l'utilisation légitime, et la consommation pour le plaisir d'autre part, qui, depuis le début du XX siècle, est considérée comme illicite.