Here is a summary of the latest news on medicinal cannabis in France:**France Takes Major Step Towards Medical Cannabis Generalisation**[Image of French Health Minister, Olivier Véran, addressing a press conference]On October 23, 2023, the French government took a major step towards the generalisation of medical cannabis. The government tabled an amendment to the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) concerning medical cannabis, bringing it into France’s general medical framework for the first time.The amendment proposes that medical cannabis products will receive a “temporary authorisation” for five years, with scope for these to be renewed by French authorities indefinitely. This is a significant step forward, as it means that medical cannabis will no longer be confined to a pilot program and will instead be available to patients on a wider scale.The amendment also clarifies the conditions under which medical cannabis can be prescribed and dispensed. For example, it states that medical cannabis can only be prescribed by specific medical specialists, and that it must be dispensed by pharmacies.The amendment is still subject to parliamentary approval, but it is widely expected to be passed. This would be a major victory for patients who have been campaigning for access to medical cannabis.**Will The Legalisation Of Medical Cannabis In France Be Included In The Annual Budget For 2024?**The French government is currently in the process of drafting the annual budget for 2024. As part of this process, the government is considering whether to include the legalisation of medical cannabis.There is no official word yet on whether medical cannabis will be included in the budget. However, there is growing support for the legalisation of medical cannabis in France. A recent poll found that 61% of French people support the legalisation of medical cannabis.If the government does decide to include medical cannabis in the budget, it is expected that the legalisation process would begin in 2024.**France’s Health Minister Promises Continued Access to Medical Cannabis for Patients**France’s Health Minister, Olivier Véran, has promised that the country’s medical cannabis experiment will continue. The experiment, which is currently in its second year, provides medical cannabis to around 2,540 patients.Véran’s announcement comes after months of uncertainty about the future of medical cannabis in France. The government had previously indicated that it was considering rolling out medical cannabis more widely, but it has not yet taken any concrete steps to do so.Véran’s promise to continue the medical cannabis experiment is a positive sign for patients who are hoping to access medical cannabis in France. However, it is still unclear what the future holds for medical cannabis in the country.**Medical Cannabis in France Faces Uncertain Future Amid Government Inaction**The future of medical cannabis in France is uncertain, as the government has been slow to take action on the issue.France launched its medical cannabis experiment in 2021, offering around 3,000 patients free cannabis products. The experiment was initially intended to run for two years, but it has been extended until the end of 2023.Despite the experiment’s extension, the government has not yet committed to rolling out medical cannabis more widely. This is despite growing pressure from patients, doctors, and politicians.In a letter to the government, 17 patient associations called for the official roll-out of medical cannabis in France from next year. They stated that medical cannabis is a “real ethical and clinical necessity” for patients with cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic pain.The government has not yet responded to the patient associations’ letter. It is unclear whether they will take any steps to roll out medical cannabis more widely before the end of the experiment.