France is moving forward with a permanent national system for medical marijuana, marking a significant turnaround for a program once thought to be on the verge of collapse.
The country’s pilot program began in 2019 and was initially viewed as a model for the rest of Europe. But progress stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting political priorities, and the dissolution of the National Assembly in 2024. That changed in March 2025 when the French government submitted three formal documents to the European Union detailing the country’s planned regulatory framework.
The framework has now cleared the EU’s required TRIS review period and is being reviewed by France’s State Council. Once finalized, the texts must be signed by the ministries of Health and Economy and published in the Journal Officiel. In parallel, the French health authority (HAS) is working to determine reimbursement rates, pricing structures, and prescriber training requirements. HAS released its official roadmap for this process on July 29 and is accepting public input until September 16.
HAS will evaluate cannabis-based medicines that don’t already have a marketing authorization. The review will focus on five last-resort conditions: treatment-resistant epilepsy, cancer-related symptoms, refractory neuropathic pain, painful spasticity from central nervous system disorders (like MS), and advanced palliative care. A final reimbursement decision is expected by the end of Q1 2026.
Unlike other countries that have created separate frameworks for medical marijuana, France is embedding it directly into its pharmaceutical system. That means no separate regulatory path for cannabis businesses—companies must either be registered as pharmaceutical operators in France or partner with one. Products must meet the country’s strict pharmaceutical standards, and raw flower will be limited to sealed-vape formats.
The system is designed to reduce stigma, increase doctor comfort, and allow for scalable access. While initial prescriptions will need to be made by specialists, most patients will be transitioned to general practitioners for ongoing care. It’s estimated that 3,000 healthcare professionals have already received training through the pilot program.
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