What's the current status of therapeutic cannabis trials in France?

While ANSM has validated a medical cannabis experiment last July, the initial timetable was for deployment by the end of 2019. In view of the progress of discussions, it would appear that experimentation will not begin until the first quarter of 2020, or even later.

What's left to do?

In an interview Nicolas Authier, President of the CSST, which has studied the availability of medical cannabis in France, explains the reasons for the delay: everything still needs to be done.

The experiment, which will only involve 1,500 to 2,000 patients, is neither financed nor organized: doctors have not yet been trained, the products to be prescribed have not yet been defined, and the call for tenders to import the treatments has not yet been launched. The companies that might be able to respond just know that they will be able to offer products that meet the requirements of the market. the 5 THC:CBD ratios selected by the CSST.

Some patients have already been contacted to take part in the experiment. They will not have to pay anything for the test, but the reimbursement of medical cannabis as part of the eventual legalization of medical cannabis in France has not yet been decided.

A new CST to move forward

According to our information, a Temporary Scientific Committee (CST) is due to be announced next week by the ANSM, bringing together different experts on medical cannabis from the CSST. On the CST's agenda are at least 3 themes to fill current gaps: product specifications, patient registers and training resources for healthcare personnel.

All that remains is to secure approval for the financing of the experiment, which Nicolas Authier sees as «part of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) in the autumn». What happens if the budget is not approved? The ANSM was unable to answer this question.