RFI reported that France informed the European Commission last week of its plans to legalize medical cannabis. French officials have also extended the medical cannabis program that was previously renewed.
The Health Ministry issued a public statement saying that this was a “new step” towards a more regulated medical cannabis access in France.
The formal notification process marks a key step for France toward legalizing medical cannabis, although the commission could take several months to approve the regulations — and then, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) will need to determine how medical cannabis might be covered by the country’s public health insurance, the report said, which will take additional time.
In 2021, France began its medical marijuana program with 3,000 participants. It was originally intended to last for two years. In the last weeks of the first cutoff period, authorities announced that they would prolong the program six months until July 31 to give patients time to look for alternative treatments. According to the most recent announcement, the extension of the program until March 31st 2026 has now been announced.
We would like to thank you for your support. [health] “I thank the minister for his commitment and will continue to work with him in order to create a sector of medicinal products that includes all stakeholders from day one.” — Ludovic Rachou, president of the Union des industriels pour la valorisation des extraits de chanvre (union for the promotion of hemp extracts), via The Connexion
In France, cannabis is strictly forbidden outside of medical programs. Hemp is legal, and shops sell low-THC CBD-rich hemp flowers throughout the country.
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