2016-2017 cannabis trends in France according to OFDT

Every year for the past 17 years, the Observatoire Français des Drogues et Toxicomanies (OFDT) has published in its Tendances magazine the main findings of observations of the drug market in France, recorded by the TREND system. What can we learn from this 2016-2017 vintage on the specific subject of cannabis?

Kleenex and weed dealers

Both supply and demand are becoming more professional. In particular, the report points to a real job market around the lower-end of the black market. Small hands are sometimes recruited on a day-to-day basis, for a day or a week, on an interim basis. This allows them to adapt to demand, while limiting the risk of denunciation in the event of arrest.

Weed is gaining ground on resin, even replacing it in some places. Cannabis cultivation in France is becoming more professional, even for small 200-ft plantations, following the example of American and Canadian cultivation techniques.

The study reports that one model is becoming increasingly common: several growers pool their skills to resell their harvest to a single distributor. We'll soon have Cannabis Clubs on the streets, even if they're illegal, as in the UK ?

A customer looking for quality

The transition from the resin to the weed market is, in the final analysis, simply a reflection of changing demand.

According to the report, today's cannabis consumer is more interested in quality weed. They are also changing their consumption methods, moving towards healthier means. Vaporization is emerging even more, and wax and other forms of smoking are becoming more popular. cannabis concentrates are spreading.

Cannabis consumption is not harmless, and some regular users experience problems related to stopping (sleep disorders) or overconsumption (cannabinoid syndrome).

Seizures on the rise

OCRTIS, which at one time focused more on resin, also points to a shift in the market towards weed. Moreover, seizures are still on the increase, with 18 tonnes seized during the period under review according to official figures, which doesn't seem like much to us. We noted with a quick Google search almost 6 tonnes seized in October alone. And in the last ten days, more than 10 tonnes have been seized on the roads of France.

On the other hand, we did underestimate the number of plants uprooted, with the report stating 126400 plants. Visit cannabusiness hunt is fruitful!

What about 2018?

Our projections for’2018 cannabis year in France focused on the legal and legislative aspects. If we were to carry out the same exercise with regard to the cannabis black market, it would be interesting to study the multiplication of varieties offered for sale and the rise of cannabis extraction techniques, and therefore of cannabis concentrates. Seizures will also be higher next year, as will arrests of consumers and growers. Unless...?

The full report is available here.