French cannabis reforms at a standstill

If the numerous press reports on the subject are to be believed, cannabis consumption is sufficiently entrenched in the French landscape to regularly take news from the official supply circuit: the black market. But let's be reassured: the black market still has a long way to go. Both the temporary scientific committee on the «implementation of medical cannabis experimentation in France» and the «joint information mission on the regulation and impact of the various uses of cannabis» are at a standstill.

On the French medical cannabis, The CST was to have begun its deliberations on the «implementation» of the experiment at the end of 2019. Delayed for the first time «because of the strikes», the CST was only able to meet 4 times before the confinement, without tackling the crucial point of the invitation to tender for cannabis-based treatments from foreign distributors, widely awaited by the latter and by French patients. According to our information, CST members do not know when the plenary sessions will resume. The timetable is therefore likely to be postponed accordingly. ANSM did not respond to our requests for further information.

Jean-Baptiste Moreau confirms that «work [...] has been suspended during the period of confinement, and planned hearings have been postponed». The hemp industry, which had been hoping for official regulation of CBD to stop the prosecution of entrepreneurs who market hemp flowers will have to wait a little longer.

Good news, however, for cannabis users caught using cannabis on the public highway: the’fine Poulliat of 135€ is still not in force! Nevertheless, they risk a «confinement» fine if their certificate is not in order, or a beating if they're a little tanned.

Nevertheless, there are ways of moving forward more quickly on all these issues, including the issue of circulars for regional public prosecutors. In the current absence of support, however, the subjects will remain at a standstill.