Medical cannabis in France: patients demand access

When health calls for care, every day of waiting weighs heavily on the lives of those living with an illness. Medical cannabis in France has been treated, so to speak, as a secondary issue. Patient associations have once again demanded action from the government to unblock access to medical cannabis, in light of regulatory delays that could jeopardize the start of new prescriptions slated for 2027.

In a report published on the Spanish portal Cañamo, a total of 14 French associations are calling for the completion of the necessary steps to implement the permanent access model for cannabis-based medicines.

Medical cannabis in France: why are patients protesting?

The main issue is the delay in finalizing regulations that would expand access to treatment. According to Cañamo, the organizations sent an open letter to the French prime minister requesting the publication of the decrees required to implement the framework approved in December 2023.

Among the organizations involved are France Sclérose en Plaques, Alliance Maladies Rares, and CThérapeutique. The group is demanding a concrete timeline to complete the health assessment and enable the first prescriptions under the permanent framework.

The demand goes beyond a bureaucratic issue. For people living with medical conditions who require continuous follow-up, having access to therapeutic options evaluated by healthcare professionals can be essential for care and quality of life.

Therefore, associations argue that the government must turn the planned measures into an effective pathway for patients, with clear stages and deadlines.

Medical cannabis in France: who can access the treatment?

The current situation creates a divide between those who were already part of the pilot program and those who need to start treatment.

Also according to the report by Cañamo, no new patients have been allowed to join the trial since March 27, 2024. The program was formally concluded at the end of that year, while participants continuing treatment remain covered under a transitional framework.

This continuity, however, does not resolve the situation for those still waiting for access.

In practice, the lack of a regular pathway for new patients keeps families and individuals with health needs waiting for clarity. Access depends not only on the availability of medicines, but also on clear regulations, health evaluations, and conditions that ensure treatment is safely prescribed and made available.

READ MORE: Medical cannabis regulation in France enters final implementation phase

Regulatory delays threaten the 2027 timeline

Another point of concern is the postponement of evaluation phases conducted by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), the French health authority responsible for evaluating health technologies and products.

According to the associations cited by Cañamo, hearings scheduled for October 20 and 21 were postponed because a necessary decree to proceed with the process is still missing. The organizations warn that the delay could compromise the projected availability of the permanent framework by January 2027.

The report highlights that the French authority's public page showed no updated official schedule at the time of publication. Therefore, the January 2027 date should be understood as an endangered projection rather than a guaranteed implementation deadline.

It is also important to distinguish between two stages: the authorization of medicines and the decision on their reimbursement by the public health system. These are separate procedures, and both can influence whether patients will truly be able to access treatment.

READ MORE: Cannabis regulation in France faces a new impasse

What are patients asking of the French government?

Associations urge that regulations move forward urgently and that the government set clear deadlines to conclude the pending steps.

In the open letter mentioned by Cañamo, the organizations also warn of the risk that the lack of a safe medical alternative could drive some patients to seek products in illicit markets.

This concern underscores the importance of building a system that enables access through regulated channels, with professional guidance and proper monitoring, rather than leaving vulnerable people without answers.

For those living with an illness, waiting is not merely an administrative issue. It interferes with care planning, the search for therapeutic options, and the hope of living with a better quality of life.

The French case shows that recognizing the potential for medicinal use of a substance is not enough, on its own, to guarantee that treatment reaches those who need it. It is necessary to finalize regulations, define responsibilities, and establish concrete conditions for access.

While these steps remain pending, patients and their families continue waiting for a response that turns regulatory projections into a real possibility for care.