Is medicinal cannabis legal in France and is CBD available in high-street shops?

Reader Question: Is France making cannabis legal for medical reasons? And what is ‘CBD’ that I see being sold?

France is running an ongoing experiment into the legalisation (and reimbursement) of cannabis for those suffering from serious illnesses. It started in 2021, initially for two years, but is continuing at least until the end of this year. However, it is not currently possible to join the trial if you are not already part of it.

It has been prescribed for conditions such as nerve-related pain not sufficiently relieved by standard treatments, some forms of epilepsy, certain cancer symptoms (or side effects of cancer medicines), palliative care, and for painful spasms related to multiple sclerosis and similar central nervous system conditions.

It is being prescribed either as dried flowers to be inhaled in a vaporiser, or orally, as an oil. It does not include a version designed to be smoked.

Read more: Medical cannabis gets go-ahead for pain relief in French hospitals

As for CBD – cannabidiol – this is the second most active ingredient in cannabis.

Selling and using CBD products was officially legalised in 2022, in France, after several years of legal uncertainty. 

This is essentially a form of cannabis that has no, or only trace quantities of, THC, the ‘psychoactive’ ingredient in the drug. 

This means it does not make the user feel ‘high’ and it is not considered addictive. It comes in the form of oils, dried flowers, herbal teas and resins.

A Harvard study found there is evidence it may help with conditions including anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. The study said it was “relatively non-toxic”, but can have side effects, including nausea, fatigue and irritability and doctors do not advise smoking it.