A cannabis plant.

(illustration) -

MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP

The Ministry of Health published on Friday a decree eagerly awaited by patients authorizing the first experiments, in a very controlled and limited framework, of cannabis for therapeutic use in France.

The French National Assembly authorized this full-scale test in 2019 but its start had been delayed due to the health crisis.

According to the published text, the experiment will have to start necessarily before March 2021 and will concern 3,000 patients.

Cannabis for smoking excluded from the protocol

Cannabis for smoking is excluded from the protocol.

Medicines will come in the form of oils, capsules and dried flower spray and will only be given to patients with serious illnesses.

Certain forms of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, side effects of chemotherapy, palliative care or multiple sclerosis.

"The decree is published in a difficult context for patients in particular, victims of an ever stronger stigma and an offensive government discourse against cannabis in general", welcomed in a press release the Collective Alternative for cannabis for therapeutic purposes (ACT).

Since September 1, the flat-rate fine of 200 euros for all drug users, in particular cannabis, has been generalized in France.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin declared in September to oppose the legalization of cannabis, which he described as "shit".

"France must get out of prehistory when it comes to cannabis"

For its therapeutic use, the deputies of the parliamentary mission in charge of the subject and several associations of patients urged the State for months to act more quickly.

"France must get out of prehistory in terms of cannabis", a plant "which is a drug but which can also be a medicine", declared the general rapporteur of the mission Jean-Baptiste Moreau (LREM).

Cannabis for medical use is authorized in around 30 countries around the world.

In Europe, the Netherlands were the pioneers in 2003, followed since by 22 countries (out of 27), including France now.

World

Why is medical cannabis so popular?

Society

Cannabis: Some 80 elected LR strongly oppose legalization

  • Drug

  • Drug

  • Plants

  • Cannabis

  • Medicine

  • Health