Without a quick decision, no more medical cannabis for French patients on January 1

Patient associations have begun warning patients taking part in the French medical cannabis experiment that they may soon be faced with an interruption in their treatment, as no measures have been taken to extend the experiment.

The French Society for the Study and Treatment of Pain (SFETD) issued a statement this week warning that ’in the absence of a decision« from the now ousted government, »these drugs will no longer be available from January 1, 2025«.

Despite last-minute efforts to amend the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) in October in order to obtain a budget for the widespread use of medical cannabisl, as promised by the government, the current proposals make no mention of medical cannabis.

Medical cannabis in France, which medical cannabis?

France's medical cannabis program has found itself in a similar position to last year at the same time, having once again been excluded from the budget for the coming year.

However, contrary to the end of 2023, the political backdrop is much more complex, fast-moving and uncertain.

This annual document outlines the budget for the coming year, and with no mention of medical cannabis, which is currently in a «transition» phase before full deployment, the future of the program is now at stake.

The medical cannabis ’experiment« in France has been running since 2021, and was expected to serve as a precursor to a fully-fledged medical cannabis system.

After being extended on numerous occasions, the government has been repeatedly accused of «skirting the issue».

The program is currently in a so-called «transitional» period, with no clear plans to generalize for the time being. No new patients can sign up to take part in the trial, but those currently taking part should theoretically continue to receive their medication until a fully-fledged medical cannabis program has been set up.

However, the latter is due to expire on December 31, 2024, and no plan or budget has been drawn up to enable thousands of patients to continue accessing their treatment.

In its warning to patients this week, the SFETD explained, «In the absence of a decision by the previous government, these drugs will no longer be available from January 1, 2025.»

«Hundreds of patients suffering from refractory neuropathic pain, who obtain significant relief from their physical and psychological suffering, will be faced with an abrupt interruption of their treatment. This interruption could lead to the reappearance of severe, incapacitating pain, as well as withdrawal symptoms due to the abrupt cessation of treatment.»