Is CBD legal in France? (updated September 2018)

Is CBD legal in France?
L’huile de CBD est-elle légale en France?

This article will help you understand medical cannabis and hemp laws in France.

Cannabis Laws in France

Cannabis in France is illegal for personal use, but remains one of the most popular illegal drugs. Limited types of cannabis-derived products are permitted for medical uses.

France, however, continues to police its people with an archaic (and increasingly isolated) attitude towards cannabis. In fact, the current law has more or less remained unchanged since its introduction in 1970. It states that ‘possession of cannabis’ can be punished with up to one year in prison plus a fine of up to €3,750!

Medical Cannabis in France

In 2014 the French government gave the green-light for Sativex, a cannabis-based treatment for multiple sclerosis, to be sold in French pharmacies. This move was met with vocal support among the medical community who felt it could have opened the door to full medical cannabis legalisation further down the line. However, three years later, as a result of a pricing war, the drug is still yet to have arrived on French shores.

As of 8 June 2013, cannabis derivatives can be used in France for the manufacture of medicinal products. The products can only be obtained with a prescription and will only be prescribed when all other medications have failed to effectively relieve suffering. The amended legislation decriminalises “the production, transport, export, possession, offering, acquisition or use of speciality pharmaceutials that contains one of these (cannabis-derivative) substances”, while all cannabis products must be approved by the National Medical Safety Agency (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament – ANSM).

Is CBD Oil Legal in France?

Is CBD oil legal in France? The short answer is, yes. Hemp CBD oil containing less than (up to) 0.2% THC is allowed.

The Minister for Health announced in November 2017 that the presence of CBD in products for public consumption was authorised providing it has a maximum of 0.2% of THC (the psychoactive element in cannabis).

In June 2018 according to a report in The Independent, the French government has admitted it has been caught on the hop by the rapid proliferation of businesses offering the low dosage product.

Agnès Buzyn, the health minister, said the shops were a threat to public health because they were encouraging drug use. She said they existed because they were exploiting a legal loophole which she pledged to close, adding that the government would find a way to put them all out of business within weeks.

“We’re not fighting like mad to ensure that the French stop smoking [tobacco] for them to start smoking cannabis,” she said.

If you are thinking of buying or selling CBD oil in France, we advise you to check the current state of the law very carefully.

Hemp production in France

France are the world’s leader in hemp seed production. Currently, France is responsible for 59% of the total seeds globally. The country also dominates the fibre application market – accounting for over 50% of hemp based pulp and paper production in Europe.