ANSM authorizes therapeutic cannabis trials in France

Should we be talking about the legalization of medical cannabis in France? Not yet. But the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) today authorized a full-scale trial of medical cannabis in France.

The ANSM, whose primary mission is to assess the health risks posed by medicines and health products, established a Temporary Specialized Scientific Committee (CSST) in September 2018. This committee, composed of 13 specialists and led by psychiatrist and pharmacologist Nicolas Authier, was dedicated to the’Assessment of the appropriateness and feasibility of making medical cannabis available in France. Three months later, in December, the experts had issued their opinion in a report in favor of medical cannabis for certain medical conditions.

In late December 2018, the ANSM endorsed the CSST’s conclusions and asked the Committee members to meet to discuss the implementation and details of this project. On June 26, 2019, the experts presented their recommendations, which have now been approved by the ANSM. Medical cannabis will finally to be tested in France before the end of the year.

The Committee members identified only a few medical conditions: pain that is refractory to available therapies (pharmacological or otherwise); certain severe and drug-resistant forms of epilepsy; supportive care in oncology; palliative care; and painful spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or other causes.

Medical cannabis may be taken orally, in the form of oral solutions, drops, and oil capsules, or inhaled, in the form of oils and dried flowers. Cannabis-based medications may only be prescribed by specialized physicians who have received specific training, and on a voluntary basis. The Committee also recommended the creation of a national registry of individuals using cannabis products.

Cannabis will most likely be imported during the pilot program. The key challenge, however, will be to establish a domestic medical cannabis production chain once the pilot program ends, in order to reduce reliance on imports. The fact-finding mission, which will cover all uses of cannabis and was officially announced this morning by Representative Jean-Baptiste Moreau following a Conference on Hemp and Wellness, ...will be an opportunity to explore the topic.

Medical cannabis is already legal in about 30 countries around the world, including 21 countries of the European Union.