France has officially permitted medical cannabis production and cultivation. The European Country stands to develop a thriving domestic sector with this latest move, which was enforced on March 1 following the earlier publication of a decree in the Official Journal.
Prior to the decree’s publication, France had already been busy importing cannabis products for its medical cannabis pilot program. The decree has been made public in an effort “to allow the creation of a sector ranging from cultivation to medicine based on cannabis for medical use in France.”
However, more regulations are required to establish a robust medical cannabis system in France. Regulators must first implement the decree before it can fully take effect. In regards to the guidelines and procedures by which cannabis should be cultivated and produced countrywide, the current legislation does not extend beyond the scope of medical use.
The decree may have only revised certain segments of France’s Code of Public Health, such as sections to permit cannabis imports/exports, cultivation, production, manufacturing, transportation, and possession of the plant and its derivatives, but it is sure to have a major impact on the industry at large. The development of a medically-authorized supply chain will be overseen by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).
On Thursday, February 17, the ANSM announced the launch of a non-permanent scientific committee tasked with clarifying the rules surrounding the use and sale of all French-produced cannabis medicine. A panel of 11 committee members have been chosen by the ANSM to assess various facets of the medical cannabis supply chain in France, such as pharmaceutical quality criteria, track-and-trace systems, and the benefits of ingesting medical cannabis, as well as the THC/CBD potencies and identification of strains made available for medical purposes.
The ANSM has been leading a strictly regulated medical cannabis pilot program for the best part of a year. The pilot program, which involves participation from approximately 3,000 patients who suffer from debilitating conditions, extends until March 2023. Medical cannabis was imported into France from overseas to support the country’s pilot project. It is unclear whether or not French cannabis companies will maintain their involvement in the medical industry that is set to be developed by the ANSM.
The ANSM’s 11 members come from a handful of different ministries. Moreover, some of them are representatives from the Conseil Order of Pharmacists and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. Since the agency is expected to serve as the sole industrial operator for delegating medical cannabis production in France, industry experts envision the ANSM selecting a lone industrial operator who can deal with everything production-related. Consequently, this could result in less medical cannabis being produced.
In the event that this happens, France’s medical cannabis market could somewhat mirror the Italian medical industry, which is currently slacking in terms of domestic production. Due to Italy’s low production, overseas imports are necessary to keep the country’s industry afloat.
In comparison with other countries on the European map, France’s rate of medical cannabis consumption is significantly higher. According to Statista, 1.5 million French people used cannabis on a regular basis in 2019. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that a recreational cannabis program will be implemented at this point in time. Current laws stipulate that anyone who possesses cannabis in France may be faced with a prison sentence of one year and a penalty of more than $4,000. More penalties face individuals who illegally import, export, transport, deliver, and supply the plant.
In 2020, the people of France were informed that they would face an on-the-spot fine of €200 (USD$220) for being caught with cannabis. This fee shrinks to €150 (USD$165) if paid within a 15-day period or inflates to €450 (USD$500) if paid in full after 45 days.
The political roadblocks that are preventing cannabis policy from being updated may prevent the French medical cannabis industry from finding firm ground. With that being said, it remains uncertain as to how exactly the French medical cannabis market will roll out.
Cannabis tinctures are relatively new on the scene compared to the long, thousands-year-old history of the cannabis plant itself. It was first recognized for its medicinal use in European medicine in 1839, and by 1851, medicinal cannabis tinctures had made their way into a drug almanac known as the United States Pharmacopeia. Despite prohibition throughout…
Mental health is crucial to our well-being. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults is currently living with a mental health condition. The effort to destigmatize the conversations around mental health is recognized from Mental Health Awareness Month in May to World Suicide Prevention Day in…
Cannabis access has expanded significantly in recent decades. Many states with medical programs have recently adopted recreational legislation allowing anyone 21 years and older to access the plant. This expanded access may leave you wondering if you should bother getting a medical card when you can just purchase cannabis from a recreational store. Medical and…
As cannabis use and accessibility grow nationwide, many universities have established pathways to study the business and science of the plant. Students can research cannabis and its many compounds, pharmacology, cultivation, business, marketing, public policy, and so much more. Beyond cannabis-specific schools like Oaksterdam University and THC University, aspiring cannabis professionals have many options to…
When Piper Lindeen’s son Zach began showing medical issues at just three years old, no one suspected a rare, severe form of epilepsy. Doctors initially didn’t recognize his symptoms as seizures. Eventually, they diagnosed Zach with epilepsy—but by then, his condition had worsened from a few seizures a week to several each day. As it…
Sign up for our newsletter
Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes
Start By Selecting Your State
