France Authorise Medicinal Cultivation
The French government has agreed to a decree authorising the medical cultivation, manufacture, and distribution of medical cannabis from March 1st. The move has long been in the pipeline, particularly given what is happening in Germany, Malta and Luxembourg.
Although the "production of cannabis", which includes the cultivation, manufacture, transport, import, export, possession, offering, acquisition, and use of, remains prohibited. This is unless the relevant authorities have explicitly issued a medical authorisation Agency.
It is unclear whether the French authorities will continue to accept "flower "cannabis as medicine. Given the resolution's language that "only growers who have contracted to supply their production (to a licensed and authorised manufacturer) may cultivate cannabis plants for the purpose of manufacturing medicines,"
Why Does France Dislike Flower?
France already lost a war on banning CBD flower in January. Whilst trying to establish the regulatory environment for a CBD market, the French government was overruled by the nation's highest court when the authorities also tried to prohibit the sale of CBD flower.
Many view the wording of the most recent legislation as a final play to shut down the discussion of any legalisation of cannabis flower at a national level, whether that is for THC or CBD.
However, the ruling powers against the plant are finding that their position is increasingly falling out with court challenges. These legal struggles are likely to be seen everywhere as and when legality in its differing forms tries to creep in.
So far, the Spanish sector has yet to succeed in legalising the cannabis plant fully. The government has tried to cut off the entire recreational discussion by allowing a limited number of cultivation licenses. Germany tried a similar strategy. They now have a new government that has been forced into recreational reform, even though it is dragging its feet.
European leaders and regulatory agencies do not see cannabis as economic development. With cultivation now established in other European countries (including Portugal, Denmark, and Germany), it is doubtful that the big corporate Canadian companies will be focused on french domestic cultivation the same way as they were. But this is what the French government wanted.
What has happened in France may seem quite limited. Still, however, stifled, it is another step forward in the hopeful long walk toward meaningful change in international cannabis reform.
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Liz Filmer
