France now targets CBD vending machines and sales to young people

The French government has adopted an amendment aimed at tightening regulations on CBD and other herbal smoking products, as part of a broader bill dealing with public order offenses. The measure, which passed the Senate's first reading on May 13, would ban the sale of vaping and herbal smoking products through vending machines, while prohibiting the sale or free distribution of these products to minors.

The amendment specifically targets plant-based products other than tobacco, a category which currently includes most hemp-based smoking products sold in France.

A stricter framework for CBD products

The government's proposal follows years of legal uncertainty regarding CBD products in France and Europe. Since the’Kanavape« ruling in 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Union, products containing CBD containing less than 0.3% THC are considered legal throughout the European Union. Products exceeding this threshold remain classified as narcotics under French law.

The French authorities argue that the existing legal framework does not sufficiently protect young people from the potential health risks associated with consuming plant-based products. In the text accompanying the amendment, the government cites combustion-related concerns, pointing out that burning plant materials releases harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, tar and fine particles.

The amendment also refers to the conclusions of ANSES, which found that the CBD could have reprotoxic effects, particularly among teenagers, pregnant women and parents-to-be.

According to the government, the consumption of smoking plants has continued to grow in France. The text states that more than 10 % of adults and 17.5 % of people under 24 reported using such products in 2022.

Concerns about synthetic cannabinoids

Another major argument raised by the authorities concerns the growing circulation of products adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids or containing excessive levels of THC. French drug monitoring networks have reportedly recorded hundreds of cases involving vaping products containing synthetic cannabinoids.

The amendment cites 345 cases reported in 2025, the majority involving minors aged between 13 and 18. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, authorities reported an additional 125 cases and two deaths allegedly linked to these products.

These incidents have fueled concerns among legislators and public health officials, not least because some products sold as legal CBD items may contain unregulated synthetic substances. French authorities also argue that symptoms linked to synthetic cannabinoids are often misidentified, leading to under-reporting.

Sales to minors under the spotlight

One of the central aims of the amendment is to bring herbal smoking products into line with the restrictions already applied to tobacco.

If adopted in their entirety, the new rules would prohibit the sale of herbal smoking products to those under 18. The text would also prohibit sales through vending machines, a measure lawmakers deem necessary to prevent uncontrolled access by minors.

The government further states that the marketing of certain CBD products, especially those featuring images associated with the Cannabis plant, could help normalize the use of psychoactive substances among young people.

Authorities also report that police and gendarmerie services are increasingly encountering businesses selling products exceeding the legal THC limit under the guise of legal CBD trade.

These measures are not yet in force

Although the amendment was adopted at the first reading of the bill, the proposed measures are not yet applicable. The text still has to go through the entire French legislative process before coming into force.

In particular, the bill will have to be approved by the National Assembly in identical terms. If legislators modify the text, further parliamentary discussions could ensue before a final version is adopted.

Once approved by Parliament, the law could also be reviewed by the Constitutional Council before being promulgated and published in the Journal Officiel.

Some provisions may also require government implementing decrees to define enforcement measures and sanctions before becoming fully operational.

In parallel with this first stage of legislative change, the French government announced the launch of a control plan aimed at CBD-based food products.