Medical cannabis in France has a complicated history. The use of cannabis for medical purposes is not widely accepted due to legal restrictions and a cultural stigma associated with cannabis use. However, in recent years, there has been a growing push for the acceptance and legalization of medical cannabis to help patients suffering from chronic conditions. Historically, cannabis has been classified as a narcotic in France, making its use, possession, or sale punishable by law. However, in 2013, the French government made amendments to the Public Health Code, permitting the use of medications containing cannabis derivatives. This legislative change paved the way for the approval of Sativex, a mouth spray containing cannabinoids, in 2014. Sativex is used to treat muscle spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Despite this progress, the availability of medical cannabis in France is limited. Sativex is the only approved medication, and it is not reimbursed by French health insurance due to its high cost. This means many patients who could potentially benefit from cannabis-derived medication are unable to access it. However, changes seem to be on the horizon. In October 2020, France launched a two-year medical cannabis pilot program. This program is intended to provide cannabis-based treatment to 3,000 patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, certain types of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and palliative situations. The program will help the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) to assess the feasibility of officially integrating medical cannabis into the country’s health system. The acceptance of medical cannabis in France has been a slow and cautious process, shaped by legal restrictions, high costs, and societal attitudes. Nonetheless, recent developments indicate a potential shift in perspective towards an increased acceptance of medical cannabis. The pilot program is a promising step in the right direction, indicating a growing recognition of the potential benefits of cannabis-based medications.

France first approved a medical marijuana law in 2013, although only cannabis-derived medicines became legal and are very difficult to obtain ¹. In January 2021, the country was set to begin a two-year trial program providing free cannabis treatment to 3,000 patients ²³⁴.

I’m sorry, I couldn’t find any information on medical cannabis clinics in France. However, you can find more information on medicinal cannabis in France on the website of The Cannigma¹. They provide information on the existing grey market and meet those bridging the gap to help patients access the treatment safely. They also provide information on how to access medical cannabis in France.

I hope this helps!

Learn more:

1. bing.com2. cannabis-medecin.fr3. rfi.fr4. forbes.com5. facebook.com