Will the legalization of medical cannabis in France be included in the PLFSS 2024?

While the 2024 Social Security Financing Bill will be presented to lawmakers this fall, discussions are underway to determine which issues to include in next year’s Social Security budget, particularly medical cannabis.

The inclusion of a budget dedicated to the widespread adoption of medical cannabis in the PLFSS would ensure its long-term viability, whereas its absence—while it would not spell the end of the program—would greatly complicate the introduction of medical cannabis in France.

More hurdles to overcome

However, among all the people we contacted—who wish to remain anonymous—his inclusion is not a given, despite the very positive findings from the various reports on experimentation.

Among the obstacles cited is the stance of the Minister of the Interior, whose war on drugs extends to the therapeutic benefits and well-being associated with cannabis- or hemp-based products.

To add to the complexity of the situation, the Interministerial Mission to Combat Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (MILDECA), which reports to the Prime Minister’s Office, is reportedly playing the role of spoilsport and is reluctant to legalize medical cannabis.

While French patients are eagerly awaiting the legalization of medical cannabis, the various decision-making bodies appear to be leaning against its widespread adoption. We are just now hearing that the Ministry of Health would like to see widespread legalization—the absence of which would be incomprehensible given the European landscape of medical cannabis, with more than 20 countries having legalized one form or another of cannabis-based treatment. And our German neighbor, which, not content with being the Europe's leading country in medical cannabis, is currently taking over on its first phase of cannabis legalization for adults.

End of the pilot program: What's next?

One of the questions no one wants to answer is: What will happen if medical cannabis isn't widely available?

What will happen to the patients currently enrolled in the trial who have already had to cope with significant product shortages? And on a less critical note, what about the manufacturers who have already begun growing medical cannabis—currently limited to research purposes—and whose flowers or flower extracts are now being destroyed while they wait for the right to supply them to patients?

According to our information, a decision on whether or not to include medical cannabis in the PLFSS will be made before September. As for the rest, French patients will have to wait.