France extends medical cannabis experimentation until it becomes widespread

The French government has announced a one-year extension to the’experimentation with medical cannabis, to ensure that patients currently benefiting from the program do not have their treatment interrupted.

Speaking before the Senate Social Affairs Committee On March 12, Yannick Neuder declared that he had «taken the necessary steps to ensure that the experiment can continue».» until March 2026. The experiment, initially launched in 2021, was due to end on June 30, 2025 after a 6-month tolerance period, which was to enable patients to «wean themselves off».

In the absence of a definitive legalization plan, the government has opted to extend it.

This extension is intended to bridge the gap while regulatory action is taken. As part of this process, the The European Commission must be promptly informed legal texts implementing the’article 78 of the 2024 Social Security Financing Act (LFSS). These texts describe the specific cannabis-based medicinal products that can benefit from a five-year temporary authorization for use, and their production guidelines.

At the same time French Health Authority (HAS) will have to decide on a number of points. According to Grégory Emery, Director General of Health, the HAS will be consulted to evaluate the’efficacy and potential management of medical marijuana by health insurance.

Mr. Neuder reaffirmed his personal position on the subject, declaring before the Senate: «I have no taboos on this subject. If cannabis is to represent a new therapeutic avenue, I'm in favor of it», seeing it as a means of guaranteeing patient access to effective treatments and «enabling the emergence of an industrial sector».