French patient associations demand implementation of medical cannabis law

Fourteen patient associations have issued an open letter to French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, denouncing a legislative impasse regarding the rollout of medical cannabis in France. Despite a legal framework being voted on by Parliament three years ago, patients suffering from serious pathologies and therapeutic dead ends remain unable to access treatment due to the government's failure to publish necessary implementing decrees and orders.

The associations warn that the lack of legal and secure access may drive some patients toward clandestine markets. While the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has begun its work and the High Authority for Health (HAS) is prepared to act, progress is currently stalled. Specifically, hearings scheduled for October 20 and 21 regarding the evaluation of cannabis-based medicines have been postponed because the required decree has not been issued.