The Polynesian Economic Council does not want hemp for well-being

The French Polynesia announced in late December its intention to authorize cannabidiol (CBD) and its derivatives, set up a local hemp-growing industry and legalize therapeutic cannabis and its prescription for patients.

The Conseil économique, social et environnemental régional (Cesec), Fenua's consultative body, is reluctant to authorize the cultivation of hemp and the marketing of CBD products.

Cesec's cautious approach

Cesec, while recognizing the potential benefits of medical cannabis, is concerned about the premature nature of the bill. The institution supports the use of medical cannabis for specific pathologies, whether imported or locally produced, but insists on a controlled approach.

Marguerite Lai, Cesec's rapporteur, insists on the need for rigorous control: «we can't just let anything go». The Council fears that cannabis consumption will become commonplace, and stresses the potential risks to public health, particularly in view of the "high risk" associated with the use of cannabis.‘The interaction of cannabidiol (CBD) with drugs. Cesec is calling for better control and labeling of products, whether imported or locally produced, to mitigate risks.

Cesec's caution can also be explained by the absence of implementing decrees accompanying the bill. This is a recurring problem in the Polynesian legislative process, where the absence of detailed implementation plans can undermine the effectiveness of proposed legislation. Cesec remains in favor of the rapid legalization of medical cannabis, but stresses the importance of accompanying the use of these products with comprehensive training for medical personnel.

Cannabis as medicine against the green gold rush

Cesec draws a clear distinction between therapeutic cannabis, intended for specific medical conditions, and what it calls «wellness» cannabis. The institution initially supports the importation of cannabis-based medicines and envisages controlled local production in the future. However, it has reservations about the bill's provisions on «wellness» cannabis and its cultivation, weighing in on the need for stricter controls. .

Cesec suggests that a comprehensive legal framework be established before encouraging the green gold rush, highlighting the difficulty of keeping THC content below 0.3 % and the limited capacity of official analyses. The Polynesian Hemp Syndicate argues that this threshold should be raised to 1% because local environmental conditions favor the production of hemp's active ingredients.

The Syndicat expressed its disappointment at Cesec's unfavorable opinion, citing the Conseil d'Etat ruling of 2022 which called into question the absolute ban on hemp flower, limited to 0.3%, on the grounds that health risks had not been demonstrated.