CBD: is it really legal in France?

It is since 2016, when California legalizes cannabis on its territory, that more and more countries in turn are making it legal. In Europe, it is CBD that has become legal in all countries. In 2020, the global CBD market was estimated at $ 2.8 billion, according to data from analyzes by Grand View Research, its growth may even increase according to estimates to reach 13.4 billion dollars in 2028.

With over 37% of revenue generated, North America is the largest CBD market in the world. Europe, on the other hand, accounts for around 12% of these revenues. In Europe, 16% of the population uses CBD. According to a study by Grand View Research, the French average is lower. It reaches nearly 10%, or more than 6 million people.

Is CBD legal in France?

All European countries that have legalized CBD on their territory, the Court of Justice of the European Union estimated in November 2020, that France could no longer ban its consumption. Under European pressure, France has legalized CBD since June 23, 2021. To be more precise, the Court of Cassation has made its ban illegal. For the moment, the legislation in force for CBD in France dates from the order of August 22, 1990. Article R.5132-86 of the Public Health Code indicates that the import, export, use industrial and commercial and the cultivation of varieties of Cannabis sativa L. is allowed, provided they meet certain criteria:

• the THC content is less than 0.20%;
• the determination of the THC content and the taking of samples for this determination are carried out according to the community method provided for in the annex (certification by an independent and specialized laboratory).

According to the Trade Union of Hemp, more than 400 shops are open in France in 2021. Compared to 2018, this is four times more. CBD online shops, such as Kaya, explode in recent years.

Is the cultivation of CBD hemp authorized in France?

Yes, the cultivation of CBD hemp is authorized in France. In fact, according to the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), France is even the biggest producer of hemp in Europe today.

Behind China and Canada, France is the third largest producer of hemp worldwide. The European Union cultivates around 50,000 hectares of hemp on its territory. In the country, there are more than 18,000 hectares and nearly 1,300 hemp producers.

Does CBD have a psychoactive effect?

No, CBD does not have psychotropic properties. It is for this reason that the molecule is legal in the European Union. CBD or cannabidiol, is the second active substance present in the cannabis plant. But unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the first active substance, CBD does not have a psychoactive effect.

On the other hand, CBD would have several virtues. So far, few studies have been conducted on the benefits of CBD, but many health professionals attribute many positive effects to it:

• anti-inflammatory, painkiller;
• antidepressant, anxiolytic;
• fights insomnia and helps fall asleep;
• balances the immune system;
• contributes to skin health;
• prevention against degeneration;
• sedative to relieve seizures related to neurological disorders;
• relieves unwanted effects in the event of drug treatments such as chemotherapy (nausea, loss of appetite, etc.).

Among the studies that have proven the benefits of CBD is that of a team fromNew York University which has demonstrated the calming properties of CBD.

Remember, however, that these benefits have not all been proven and that consuming CBD while smoking is dangerous for health due to combustion.

Can you drive while having consumed CBD in France?

No legislation makes the consumption of CBD incompatible with driving in France at the moment.

Legally, a CBD product must contain less than 0.20% THC. However, depending on its consumption, its morphology and its organism, it is possible that THC is detected in case of control and as a reminder, any trace of THC detected in case of control remains illegal.

We often hear that a six-hour delay must be observed between consumption and driving to avoid any risk of detection of THC in the event of a test.

Regarding the tests (saliva or blood test), all modes of consumption do not have the same consequences. It is important to distinguish between smoked and non-smoked CBD products. Indeed, non-smoked products are not detectable in the event of saliva control.

If THC is detected, but it does not exceed the limit of 1.5 micrograms per liter of blood, you risk a penalty. If your THC level exceeds this limit, it is considered driving under thenarcotics hold.