Current Legal Status of Cannabis in France

• Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use under French law as of 2024
• Possession, use, and sale of cannabis can result in fines and imprisonment
• Cannabis law in France classifies cannabis and cannabis resin as narcotic substances

Medical Cannabis Regulations and Availability

• In 2024, medical cannabis is only permitted for patients who were part of the pilot program that ran from 2021-2024
• Medical cannabis regulation is expected to be finalized by January 2025, making cannabis-based medicines more widely available
• Cannabis-based medicines will require a temporary authorization for use from the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM)
• Medicines will only be available by prescription as a last-line treatment for specific conditions

CBD and Hemp Regulations

• CBD products derived from hemp plants are legal if they contain 0.3% THC or less
• Hemp plants used for CBD must be registered in the EU’s Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species
• Sale of raw hemp flowers and leaves to consumers is prohibited, limiting the types of CBD products available

Future of Cannabis Policy in France

• Full legalization of recreational cannabis is unlikely in the near future despite some public support
• Legalization efforts have stalled in Parliament but the issue remains part of the public debate
• Expansion of the medical cannabis program and easier access for patients is the main priority going forward
• Clarification of CBD regulations and the hemp industry framework is also expected in the coming years