Cannabidiol or CBD is a cannabinoid molecule found in the hemp plant. Long confused with cannabis, in which it is found in large quantities, it was prohibited for sale and use by law. Today it is accepted in many European countries. Nevertheless, a legal vagueness still hovers around his situation in France. So what do the regulations say about the use of CBD in France?
Unlike THC, CBD is legal in France
Unlike THC, CBD is legal in France First of all, it is important to differentiate between cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC). The latter is an active substance of the hemp plant with psychoactive properties. It is therefore located directly on the brain causing a change in consciousness. Considered as the main component of narcotic products, its consumption and sale are prohibited throughout France.
On the other hand, CBD does not induce any psychoactive effects since it has a low concentration of THC. Far from being euphoric, it has many therapeutic properties. For example, it is effective against pain, anxiety attacks, depression, inflammation, osteoarthritis, and arthritis. According to the World Health Organization, CBD is neither dangerous nor likely to be addictive.
Thus, all products with a high THC content, such as cannabis, remain narcotic and illegal in France. On the other hand, cannabidiol is acceptable as long as its THC concentration does not exceed 0.2%. It can be sold in all its forms (e-liquid, oil, paste, etc.) Nevertheless, there is still no legal text that says that cannabidiol is legal in France or that it is not. . We therefore admit that CBD is not prohibited by French law.
To learn more, you can visit the web platform https://www.miistercbd.com/en/ . This international cannabidiol guide gives you all the information you need.
What to know about the level of THC?
As mentioned above, cannabidiol can be consumed and sold in France as long as the THC content is below 0.2%. However, this rate is not relative to the finished product, but to the plant itself.
The restriction is very strict on the presence of THC in hemp-based products throughout the country. For these to be accepted and marketed in France, they must not contain THC. Its tetrahydrocannabidiol concentration must be zero or not detectable by HPLC-UV analysis.
Several positions also remain unfavorable on the presentation of CBD as a drug because it cannot be announced to patients. It is therefore strictly forbidden to extol the therapeutic benefits of CBD.In addition, cannabidiol is only legal in France in its liquid form. And again, its THC content must be zero. The use of cannabis plants or flowers remains strictly prohibited, even with zero THC levels. As a result, the use of CBD remains conditioned by law.
CBD and drugs: what to know?
According to Section 1 of the Narcotics Act, CBD should be classified as a narcotic because it is derived from cannabis. However, the same code specifies in the appendix that hemp and its by-products can be distributed for commercial or scientific purposes as long as their THC content remains below 0.2%. This law recommends limiting the risk of abuse and intoxication.
This legislation only concerns the hemp plant. The CBD flower therefore remains prohibited. It should be remembered that finished products containing cannabidiol are not subject to drug regulations.
CBD and food supplements: what to know?
Cannabidiol is considered a food product. Nevertheless, its legal situation remains strict. All products that contain it must be checked even if the THC composition remains below 0.2%. It is also necessary to ensure the existence of an authorization for sale on the market of the finished product containing CBD, if it is a new dietary supplement.
According to European legislation, a novel food is only accepted on the market if it is listed and approved with the corresponding regulations. Therefore, products containing CBD must undergo a laboratory testing session before being accepted as dietary supplements.
It should be mentioned that CBD was already used as a food before 1997, so some consider that they should not be subject to this Novel Food Law. You can also browse other information available on the web to learn more about the use of CBD in the dietary supplement industry.