In France, recreational marijuana is illegal and medical marijuana is legal.
Medical marijuana is legal in France and patients with certain conditions can use medical marijuana if they have a prescription. Recreational marijuana use is illegal and prior to 2018, marijuana use was punishable by imprisonment for a year or more, but a 2018 law change only resulted in a fine.
A 2021 poll showed that more than 80% of people favor the legalization of marijuana, and France may legalize recreational marijuana in the near future.
Recreational use
The possession, use, and sale of recreational marijuana in France is illegal.
Although recreational marijuana use is illegal in France, according to a survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), France is considered to have one of the highest rates of marijuana use in Europe.
In September 2020, the law was amended so that adults caught in possession of up to 100 grams of cannabis will be fined €200 (€150 if paid within 15 days, €450 if paid after 45 days). Prior to the amendment to the law, possession or use of marijuana was subject to prosecution. However, this amendment has reduced the likelihood of prosecution.
Medical cannabis in France
Medical cannabis is legal in France.
France was a signatory to the Geneva Convention, which banned the use of cannabis in 1953, although hashish was used in the military until the 1800s.
However, in 1999, the French Medicines Safety Agency allowed the temporary use of the health product, which was not permitted in France.
Since 2013, cannabis has been available in France for use in pharmaceutical production, and these products are not available without a prescription. Prescriptions for medical cannabis are authorized when no other treatment is available or has been exhausted.
All cannabis products must be approved by the National Agency for Medical Safety (ANSM).
CBD is legal
CBD is legal in France.
In 2021, industrial hemp and hemp extracts are allowed to be cultivated, imported, exported and commercially used for cannabis, provided that they contain less than 0.3% THC and are of a nationally approved variety.
In France, CBD stores selling products such as CBD oil and CBD tea are increasing in number and penetrating ordinary households. According to a 2021 survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), 65% of people living in large cities such as Paris know about CBD and 17% use CBD products.
In large cities, CBD is said to be permeating through all generations and becoming a new way of life.
Conclusion
We have introduced the cannabis situation in France.
In France, medical marijuana is legal and recreational marijuana is illegal. However, France has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in Europe. As for medical marijuana, only approved products can be used with a prescription.
CBD products are allowed for cultivation and commercial purposes as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC CBD products are becoming a part of people’s lives and have become a new way of life.