Published 2 days ago on 27th September 2023
New information suggests that the Macron government will not support the general legalisation of medical cannabis in France when the ongoing trial ends in 2024.
French media outlet Newsweed reports that the future Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) will not include a budget for the general legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use, the dispensing of which is currently limited to those taking part in an ongoing trial.
Last year the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) announced an extension to its medical cannabis experiment. The trial allows 2,000 patients to access medicinal cannabis through select pharmacies – for five approved conditions – in order to evaluate how products could be prescribed and dispensed legally in France.
A government report, submitted to parliament at the end of September 2022, was in favour of the widespread provision of medical cannabis, but found that GPs had too little involvement in the treatment process. No issues of cannabis abuse or diversion were reported.
