THE Therapeutic cannabis is a subject of debate and growing interest in the medical world and among patients with various conditions. In France, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) announced that the first treatments based on medical cannabis will be available in 2025, marking a significant step in the accessibility of alternative therapies for French patients [9] [12].
The French authorities confirm that the flower will not be included in the legalization of medical cannabis
** Source: Business of cannabis, 12/03/24 **
The National Agency for Drug Safety and Health Products (ANSM) has confirmed that cannabis flower will not be included in the legalization of medical cannabis in France.
Negative reactions
If this decision is not completely unexpected, the steep way in which it has been announced and the absence of a viable alternative for patients using cannabis flower caused a wave of indignation.
Disappointment for French companies
Confirmation of the exclusion of flower cannabis is also a source of disappointment for French companies in the sector, which are aware of the dominant place occupied by this form of medical cannabis in European markets.
Consequences
The ANSM's decision will have several consequences:
- Patients who use cannabis flowers to relieve their symptoms will have to continue to turn to the black market.
- French medical cannabis companies will be deprived of the market.
- France will find itself out of step with most other European countries, which have already legalized the medical cannabis flower.
Next steps
It remains to be seen if the ANSM will return to its decision or if it will offer a viable alternative to patients using cannabis flowers.
In the meantime, the ANSM's decision is a blow for patients, businesses and supporters of medical cannabis in France.
Undergoing experimentation and legislation
Launched in 2021, French experimentation on medical cannabis has included more 3,000 patients and aims at evaluate efficiency and the safety of theuse of cannabis for ends therapeutics[16]. This experiment is a response to the needs expressed by patients and health professionals, as well as an opportunity to develop a new agricultural and pharmaceutical sector [10].
Towards the legalization of therapeutic cannabis
To the end of 2023, THE government French paved the way forauthorisation of cannabis therapeutic By granting it a special status via the annual social security financing law. This status allows ANSM authorize THE products cannabis based for a duration of five years, without delay a possible authorization at the European Union level [12].
Cannabis -based forms of drugs and their availability
Cannabis drugs will be available in different forms, including oils or Soft capsules. However, theANSM has announcement that drugs in the form of flowers of cannabis (to inhale) would be withdrawn of experimentation in the coming weeks [12].
Availability and prescription
Cannabis drugs will have to obtain an authorization issued by the ANSM no later than December 31, 2024 to be available the following year. Patients included before March 27, 2024 will be able to continue their treatment with medical cannabis as part of the follow -up set up with their doctor [12].
Conclusion
The arrival of treatments based on medical cannabis in 2025 represents a turning point for French patients looking for relief and new therapeutic options. This advance is the Result of years of experimentation and legislative debates, reflecting a evolution of mentalities and health policies in France.
Faq
** When will medical cannabis treatments be available in France? **
The first treatments based on medical cannabis should be available in 2025, following the current experiment and obtaining the necessary authorizations by the ANSM [12].
** What forms of cannabis drugs will be available? **
Medicines will be available in the form of oils or tablets to swallow. The inhaled forms, such as cannabis flowers, will be removed from experimentation [12].
** Who can participate in the experimentation of medical cannabis in France? **
More than 3,000 patients were included in the experiment launched in 2021. However, it will no longer be possible to integrate new patients after March 27, 2024 [12].
** Will medical cannabis be reimbursed by social security in France? **
The special status granted to therapeutic cannabis by the social security financing law will allow the ANSM to authorize cannabis products for a period of five years. The details concerning the refund will be specified as the treatments are approached [12].
Quotes:
[1] https://www.lequotidiendecin.fr/specialites/algologie/cannabis-therapeutique-les-premiers-traitments-seront-deponibles-en-2025-aselon-lansm
[2] https://www.lequotidiendupharmacien.fr/exercice--pro/politique-de-sante/cannabis-medical-la-fin-de-lexperimentation-et-la-mise-misposition-se-precise
[3] https://link.naver.com/bridge
[4] https://www.genethe.org/cannabis-medical-lansm-annonce-la-mis-disposition-de-produits-en-2025/
[5] https://healthydiagnose.com/news/medical-cannabis-will-be-avaibles-in-2025/
[6] https://ansm.sante.fr/actualites/cannabis-medical-point-detape-sur-la-denniere-annee-de-lexperimentation-et-larrivee-Medicaments-a-base-de-cannabis
[7] https://www.iifas.jp/anlog/loc.cgi
[8] https://businessofcannabis.com/2023-spotlight-frances-battle-for-medical-cannabis/
[9] https://www.20minute.fr/sante/4077473-20240221-cannabis-therapeutique-traitments-Displex-2025-assure-Agence-medica
[10] https://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/content/download/315054/3062083/version/1/file/Mic-cannabis_raptape_therapeutique.pdf
[11] https://breakout.net.au/lm/lm.php
[12] https://www.paudal.com/2024/02/21/medical-cannabis-treatments-avaibles-by-2025/
[13] https://tipsforwomens.org/medical-cannabis-treatments-avaibles-from-2025-cording--the-drug-agency/
[14] https://www.lecese.fr/sites/default/files/travaux_multilingue/2023_02_cannabis_en.pdf
[15] http://bizarre.ws/out.php
[16] https://www.newsweed.fr/ansm-assure-traitements-cannabis-2025/
[17] https://www.santemental.fr/2024/02/cannabis-medical-point-etape-sur-denniere-annee-experimentation/
[18] https://insightplus.bakermcken.com/bm/healthcare-life-sciences/france-france-of--the-fnch-securcing-bill-bill-for-2024-key-measures
[19] http://dawnofwar.org.ru/go
[20] https://ansm.sante.fr/dossiers-ethematics/cannabis-a-useage-medical/mise-en-place-de-lexperimentation-du-cannabis-medical
[21] https://www.notre time.com/depeches/cannabis-medical-des-traitements-disponibles-en-2025-promet-l-agénce-du-medicament-86386
[22] https://ansm.sante.fr/dossiers-ethematics/cannabis-a-useage-medical/nos-rencons--vos-questions-sur-lexperimentation-du-cannabis-medical
[24] https://actifs-connect.com/en/the-regulatory- minute/
[25] https://vicentellp.com/img/blog/2022/07/plan-for-legal-regulated-hemp-cannabis-sector_appg-for-cbd-products_07-2022.pdf
