French Polynesia applies to grow cannabis for medical use

In a letter to Emmanuel Macron, Edouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia, announced in early April his intention «to open up the possibility of growing cannabis for therapeutic use» on his territory.

In it, the Polynesian president points out that the law on «poisonous substances» is currently being revised in Polynesia to allow the medical use of cannabis, and that in addition to providing the necessary access for patients, the introduction of local cultivation would help diversify the country's economic activities.

To make it interesting, Edouard Fritch adds that cannabis cultivation in Polynesia would be for local needs but also to supply «the French pharmaceutical industry in the production of cannabis-based medicines». An unnamed French pharmaceutical company has already expressed interest in growing cannabis in Polynesia, «given the favorable climate for harvesting and the quality of the air».

Therapeutic cannabis in the recovery plan

The overseas territory has includes medical cannabis in its 2025 recovery plan last year.

The main local user association, Tahiti Herb Culture, for many years now access to cannabis for medical use. In March 2020, it demonstrated in front of the Polynesian National Assembly, planting a cannabis plant to call for its therapeutic legalization. The association's president, Karl Anihia, was prosecuted for this action, initially for drug trafficking, then for incitement to use, before finally being acquitted.

Despite numerous seizures and prosecutions on the various islands of Polynesia, cannabis oil is becoming less and less hidden, to the point where it can now be found on local markets.