France extends medicinal cannabis program, but definitive regulation remains undefined

The Ministry of Health of France announced on Thursday (15) the extension of the pilot program for medicinal cannabis in the country. The decision was communicated during a meeting of the scientific committee of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).

The main objective of the measure is to ensure the continuity of treatment for thousands of patients after the original deadline, set for March 31, 2026. In this way, the government aims to avoid the abrupt interruption of the supply of essential medications.

Although the decision ensures immediate access for already registered patients, the French government did not specify the exact duration of this new extension. Furthermore, a date for the implementation of the permanent regulatory framework has not yet been established.

The lack of a definitive timeline keeps the sector in a state of limbo. The main concern revolves around the transition from the current experimental model to a properly regulated and stable medicinal cannabis market.

Industry representatives reacted to the announcement by demanding speed in the final regulation. Hugues Péribère, CEO of Overseed, emphasized that, despite the importance of the extension, the current measure is still limiting for the sector's advancement.

"We urgently need a new extension for the patients participating in the process. But what we really hope for is that new patients can have permanent access as soon as possible," stated the executive to Business of Cannabis.

Political obstacles to the medicinal cannabis law

The definitive regulatory framework for medicinal cannabis in France has been technically completed for months. The project was submitted to the European Union in March 2025, approved by the bloc in June, and validated by the French Council of State in August of the same year.

Currently, the implementation of the law depends only on the signatures of the responsible ministers for publication in the Official Journal. However, this crucial step remains paralyzed, generating uncertainties in the market and medical community.

Recent political instability in France is pointed out as the central cause of delays in the officialization of medicinal cannabis use. The dissolution of the National Assembly and changes in leadership at the Ministry of Health altered government priorities, halting the process.

Impact on reimbursement and access to medicinal cannabis

The delay in publishing the law has a cascading effect on cost definitions. The High Health Authority (HAS) stated in December 2025 that it was unable to conclude the evaluation on pricing and reimbursement structures until the official decree is published.

HAS began its analysis process in July 2025 and aimed to present final recommendations by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Without the law, the organization cannot progress in defining training requirements for prescribing physicians and integrating medicinal cannabis into the national system.

The regulatory scenario and the next steps for the effective permanent use of therapy in France remain under discussion. The topic will be central at the Cannabis Europa 2026 conference, scheduled for next month, bringing together lawmakers and health executives.

With information from Business of Cannabis