Tag: France

French Survey Examines Medical Cannabis And Parkinson’s Disease

Written by Johnny Green on July 2, 2025. Posted in Science.

A team of researchers affiliated with various academic and health institutions in France recently examined results from a survey that asked French patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) about their medical cannabis use and how it impacts their quality of life. The analysis results were published in the journal Parkinson’s Disease.

“In the context of suboptimal symptom management, or due to the appeal of more natural treatments, PD patients may seek alternative approaches to care, including consuming cannabis-based products. In line with findings from subsequent reviews, Urbi et al.’s 2021 meta-analysis concluded that in terms of cannabis use in PD patients, “a potential benefit was identified with respect to alleviation of PD–related tremor, anxiety, pain, improvement of sleep quality, and quality of life”.” the researchers wrote.

“Regression analyses helped identify factors associated with current cannabis and CBD use (regardless of their form). Patterns of use and self-reported effects were also documented.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“The study sample comprised 1136 participants, with a median age of 68 years. Six percent (5.9%) and 17.9% reported using cannabis and CBD, respectively. Both substances were associated with better knowledge of cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. The most common routes of cannabis administration were oral ingestion (44.8%) and smoking (41.4%); for CBD, they were oral ingestion (82.8%) and smoking (6.4%). Users reported that cannabis and CBD were very effective for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps. The satisfaction level for both substances was also high.” the researchers stated about their findings.

“Cannabis and CBD use among people with PD was associated with better knowledge about cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. Furthermore, users reported high levels of satisfaction for both substances. An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe cannabis/CBD products are needed in France to enable people with PD to maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.” the researchers concluded.

According to international researchers, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled in the past 25 years, with an estimated 8.5 million individuals living with the serious health condition.

“Parkinson’s disease resulted in 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years, an increase of 81% since 2000, and caused 329,000 deaths, an increase of over 100% since 2000.” states the World Health Organization.

Modernized Cannabis Policies In France Could Benefit Millions Of Patients

Written by Johnny Green on June 23, 2025. Posted in Policy.

France is currently home to a very limited medical cannabis program that only serves a small fraction of the nation’s suffering patients, according to a report that was released today by Augur Associates and leading French cannabis media outlet Newsweed.

The report, titled “State of the Medical Cannabis Industry in France – 2025“, determined that France’s permitted medical use of certain pharmaceutical cannabis products, combined with the nation’s medical cannabis pilot program, has resulted in safe access for only a microfraction of what a modernized medical cannabis program would provide.

“In France, and if allowed to be prescribed in first indication, the introduction of a legal framework for therapeutic cannabis could potentially ultimately benefit an estimated 2,311,626 patients with the conditions and symptoms currently included in the trial (refractory epilepsy, refractory neuropathic pain, MS, oncology and palliative care).” the report stated.

“If other conditions listed by the International Association for Medical Cannabis are included, the estimate could rise to 21,157,547 people likely to be affected by an illness or symptom that can be treated with therapeutic cannabis, i.e. ten times the number currently considered.” the report also stated.

France’s current medical policies and regulations got their start in 2013, when French legislation first authorized the use of cannabinoids in medicine. Another milestone occurred in January 2014 when Sativex received its French marketing authorization as a ‘last resort’ treatment for spasticity arising from multiple sclerosis. Although, as noted in the recent report by Augur Associates and Newsweed, “due to a pricing dispute between Almirall and the French Economic Committee for Health Products, the product has never been prescribed in France.”

Epidiolex has been available in France since 2018 after receiving temporary authorizations for use. Epidiolex also obtained a European marketing authorization in September 2019.

In addition to limited cannabis pharmaceutical access, France is also home to the previously mentioned medical cannabis pilot project. The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019. However, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024 before receiving yet another extension, pushing the estimated end of the trial to July 31st, 2025.

According to the Augur Associates and Newsweed report, a total of 3,209 total patients have participated in the trial, although only 1,849 patients are currently active, with the report noting that “1,297 patients have left: 379 for lack of efficacy, 298 for adverse side effects.” Additionally, 2,291 healthcare professionals were trained as part of the pilot program.

As of 2022, the European Union Drugs Agency estimated that France had the greatest cannabis consumption rate of any of its member nations, with a reported 10.6% of France’s population having consumed cannabis at least once within the last year.

According to a recent newsletter sent out by leading international cannabis economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics, France is home to the largest total addressable cannabis market in the European Union, with a value of $11.3 billion (midpoint).

A previous study by an economic advisory board within the nation’s prime minister’s office determined that the French government spends roughly €570m annually on cannabis prohibition enforcement. The study recommended that France adopt adult-use cannabis legalization and launch a regulated recreational industry.

Emmanuelle Auriol, a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics who authored the study’s report and findings, estimated that such a policy change could create as many as 80,000 new jobs and generate €2.8bn in taxes annually.

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France Expected To Take Key Step Towards Authorizing Medical Cannabis

Written by Hazel Norman on March 15, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Policymakers in France are reportedly expected to make a meaningful step towards authorizing cannabis production and dispersal for medical use, beyond the current limited medical cannabis pilot trial.

“According to our information, the two decrees governing the specifications of cannabis-based medicinal products for medical use and the safety of their production are in the process of being notified to the European Commission (EC). This notification, via the TRIS procedure, constitutes an essential regulatory step before the integration of medical cannabis into common law.” reported Newsweed in its local coverage.

“Following this notification, a three-month standstill period begins, allowing the Commission and other Member States to examine the texts and issue observations.” excerpts from Newsweed’s report stated. “In the absence of any major objections, medical cannabis regulations in France could therefore be validated by Europe after this period. The decrees will then have to be signed by the executive to come into force.”

Health authorities in France announced late last year that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement was welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons. Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024 before receiving the latest extension pushing the estimated end of the trial to the summer of 2025.

According to a recent newsletter sent out by international cannabis economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics, France is home to the largest total addressable cannabis market in the European Union with a value of $11.3 billion (midpoint).

French Lawmakers File Cannabis Legalization Proposal

Written by Hazel Norman on February 19, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Momentum for cannabis policy and regulatory modernization efforts has increased in recent years in Europe, with three countries—Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany — having adopted national adult-use legalization measures.

France is one European nation that advocates hope will make history soon by adopting recreational legalization. A pair of lawmakers, Ludovic Mendes (EPR) and Antoine Léaument (LFI), recently filed a proposal in France to achieve that goal.

“This measure, which opposes the government’s repressive policy, would aim to regulate production and distribution via a public agency, on the model of the National Gaming Agency.” reported Entrevue in its local coverage (translated from French to English).

“Legalization advocates, such as the Addictions France association, point out that cannabis consumption is already massive in France, with around 4 million regular users. For them, lifting the ban would not cause a significant increase in consumption, but would on the contrary allow for stricter control of the product and a reduction in health risks.” the outlet also reported.

A recent report produced by NORML France determined that 99.7% of cannabis being consumed in the European nation is unregulated, which creates potential public health risks.

99.7% Of Cannabis In France Remains Unregulated

Written by Hazel Norman on February 16, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Unfortunately, cannabis use by adults for recreational purposes remains illegal in France, and only patients enrolled in the country’s medical cannabis trial experiment are permitted to consume cannabis legally. As such, nearly all of the cannabis consumed in France comes from unregulated sources.

“Despite a strict prohibition policy in France, the figures are clear: after the Place Nette operations, 99.7% of the cannabis circulating in France remained on the black market.” reports Newsweed (translated from French to English).

“This observation highlighted by the NORML France association in a report entitled “Why legalize cannabis in 2025” aims to show the ineffectiveness of repressive measures and raises the question of their relevance in the face of a market that continues to prosper.” the outlet also reported.

Health authorities in France announced late last year that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

“The experiement was due to end on 31 December 2024, but at a meeting on Thursday between patient associations and the health authorities, the Ministry of Health gave the green light for it to run for a further six months, FranceInfo reported.” stated RFI in its local coverage.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024 before receiving the latest extension pushing the estimated end of the trial to the summer of 2025.

CBD “Significantly Reduces” Pain, Other Symptoms In Nail-Patella Syndrome Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on January 31, 2025. Posted in Science.

The global market for cannabidiol (CBD) is booming. Several market analysis reports and sector projections demonstrate the buffet of opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the CBD sector.

For example, a recent analysis by researchers with Research and Markets found that “the global hemp-derived cannabidiol market size was estimated to be USD 8.28 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 46.25 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 16.93% during the forecast period 2024-2034.”

A separate analysis by Wiseguy Research Consultants estimated that the cannabidiol extract market was worth “5.06 billion USD in 2023” and that the market is projected to be worth “from 6.16 billion USD in 2024 to 29.8 billion USD by 2032.”

A growing number of studies are finding that CBD helps suffering patients. One such study was recently conducted in France which found that orally administered CBD significantly reduces pain and other symptoms among patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Paris, France: Patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome-induced pain report significant improvements in their health-related quality of life following CBD therapy, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports. Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal malformation and chronic pain.

French researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of CBD treatment in a cohort of 28 patients diagnosed with NPS. Study participants ingested pharmaceutical-grade synthetic CBD for three months.

Investigators reported: “Treatment (median dose of 900 mg/day) was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity (mean score of 7.04 at initiation versus 4.04 at three months. … Health-related quality of life and other NPS-associated symptoms also improved in most patients. CBD treatment was well-tolerated and no elevations in liver enzyme levels were reported.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Oral treatment with synthetic CBD was associated with a significant reduction in pain in most of the patients with NPS included in our study and led to improvements in most of the NPS-associated symptoms analyzed. Hence, synthetic oral CBD appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for NPS-associated pain and may be an alternative to conventional analgesics for managing chronic pain in this pathology.”

Full text of the study, “Evidence for therapeutic use of cannabidiol for nail-patella syndrome-induced pain in a real-world pilot study,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

French Mayor Proposes Cannabis Legalization Referendum

Written by Johnny Green on January 28, 2025. Posted in Policy.

A mayor in France is calling for adults in his country to be able to vote on cannabis legalization. Éric Piolle, the current mayor of Grenoble, issued a public proposal to French President Emmanuel Macron to initiate a national referendum vote on recreational cannabis legalization.

“I propose the President of the Republic take the initiative to hold a referendum [on the legalization of cannabis]; it will allow us to approach the subject with seriousness, rather than getting muddled up all the time.” stated Mayor Piolle according to local reporting by The Pinnacle Gazette (translated from French to English).

“Piolle’s stance is shaped by the rising number of individuals incarcerated for drug-related offenses, counter to the persistent high levels of drug trafficking.” the outlet also stated in its coverage.

Three European nations have already adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. Malta was the first to do so in 2021, followed by Luxembourg in 2023 and Germany in 2024. Additionally, Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa have adopted national recreational cannabis legalization measures.

According to the European Union Drugs Agency, France has the highest rate of cannabis consumption on the European continent. Mayor Piolle is not the only lawmaker in France demanding legalization. An escalation of violence linked to organized crime in France led to recent calls by a parliamentary group for the European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use. La France Insoumise (LFI) has criticized the government’s current approach to cannabis policy.

“According to the unveiled “fight plan,” the government’s repressive response is not only insufficient, but it fuels insecurity, pushing citizens and officials into a cycle of violence.” stated Newsweed in its local reporting. “LFI advocates for a comprehensive, community-based approach to combating organized crime in France, including the legalization of cannabis.”

France’s Medical Cannabis Trial Receives Another Extension

Written by Hazel Norman on December 30, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Health authorities in France recently announced that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

“The extension will be granted only “with a view to weaning patients off the drug or finding alternatives”, the resigning Health Minister, Geneviève Darrieussecq, wrote in the letter enabling the decision.” the outlet also reported.

In March 2021, France launched its limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients at the time to gain insight into crafting national medical cannabis policies and regulations.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons.

Cannabis Legalization Would Bring France Nearly €3.4Bn In Taxes And Savings

Written by Johnny Green on November 29, 2024. Posted in Policy.

According to the European Union Drugs Agency, France has the highest rate of cannabis consumption on the European continent. Whereas adult-use cannabis policy modernization efforts have spread to Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, and to a lesser extent the Netherlands and Switzerland, recreational cannabis remains illegal in France.

An escalation of violence linked to organized crime in France has led to recent calls by a parliamentary group for the European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use. La France Insoumise (LFI) has criticized the government’s current approach to cannabis policy.

France does have a limited operational medical cannabis experimental program. In March 2021, France launched a limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients to gain insight into crafting national medical cannabis policies and regulations.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024. The program is now expected to end in 2025.