Polynesia: CESEC rejects experimentation with medical cannabis

Back in February 2020, Olivier Véran had expressed support for the expansion Regarding the French pilot program for medical cannabis in French Polynesia, the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of French Polynesia has just issued a negative advisory opinion on this very extension.

In a statement, the Council cites several reasons:

«The CESEC reviewed a draft opinion on a proposed regional law authorizing a pilot program for the medical use of cannabis in French Polynesia.".

Given the significant progress made in several countries in Europe and the Americas—both in terms of scientific research and legal developments, as well as the risks currently faced by our patients suffering from serious illnesses— it is essential that the country’s authorities take all necessary steps to rapidly update health regulations in order to establish a framework for the medical use of cannabis.

The CESEC believes it is indeed urgent to meet the expectations of our patients and certain healthcare professionals by ensuring the safest possible use of medical cannabis.

»However, the institution is not convinced that such a pilot program would allow for a swift response to patients' high expectations."

The French trial is indeed struggling to exceed 600 patients, suffers from a lack of training and interest among healthcare professionals, and is prescribing the flowers only sparingly.

The CESEC believes, however, that such a pilot program would run up against several regulations:

• French Polynesia has no jurisdiction over biomedical research [Editor's note: that the experiment is not supposed to be]
• Resolution No. 78-137 of August 18, 1978, regulating toxic substances in French Polynesia, prohibits any use of cannabis

Since the CESEC’s opinion is merely advisory, we will now have to wait for the Polynesian Assembly to deliberate on the matter.

Following the introduction of a bill last September, the proposal was to be submitted «to the Council of Ministers for the regulatory portion, including, in particular, an amendment to the resolution on toxic substances, an agreement with the National Agency for Medicines Safety, and the accreditation of a «reference medical center,» in order to subsequently determine the number of Polynesian patients who could be included in the study.