For those watching the European cannabis landscape, France has recently become a case study in regulatory delays with their medical cannabis program. The country stands at a strange crossroads: it has a fully validated regulatory framework ready to go, yet actual general access for patients seems to be slipping further into the future.
According to recent reporting by Business of Cannabis, while the French Ministry of Health has thrown a lifeline to current patients by extending the pilot program, the wider rollout is facing significant delays. Despite having a “technically complete” framework approved by Brussels, experts now suggest that the first generalized prescriptions are unlikely to be written until 2027.
France Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Extended Beyond 2026
The immediate headline is one of relief, albeit temporary. The French Ministry of Health recently announced that the current medical cannabis pilot program—which has been running for five years—will be extended beyond its previous deadline of March 31, 2026.
This decision, made during a meeting of the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), ensures that the patients currently enrolled in the trial won’t face a sudden cutoff from their medication.
However, this extension serves as a bridge rather than a solution. It highlights the fact that the permanent system is not yet ready to take over.
Hugues Péribère, CEO of the French medical cannabis company Overseed, told Business of Cannabis, “We absolutely need a new extension for the patients who are included in the process. But what we are really hoping is that new patients could have permanent access as soon as possible.”
The extension protects existing patients, but it does little to address the thousands of potential new patients currently unable to access treatment until the generalized framework is active.
Why 2027? The Eight-Month Regulatory Reality
If the framework is complete, why is the timeline for access pushing into 2027? The answer lies in the procedural timeline that kicks in only after the regulations are officially published.
Even if the government were to sign the decree tomorrow, the industry faces a mandatory setup period. An estimated journey of at least eight months from publication to pharmacy shelves.
The ANSM has indicated that reviewing medicinal cannabis product applications will not be a quick administrative stamp. It will involve a deep evaluation taking a “six months minimum,” with standard timelines potentially stretching to nine months.
Once a product receives its temporary use authorization (ATU), the work isn’t done. Manufacturers must then organize production and fabricate packaging that meets strict pharmaceutical approval. Péribère notes, “That will take a minimum of two months to be organised and be able to come to the supply chain.”
When you combine the review period with production logistics, the total timeline spans eight to 11 months. As Péribère candidly stated to Business of Cannabis, “I would say it’s fairly unlikely this year.”
A Framework in Limbo: How We Got Here
The frustration for many observers is that the hard work appears to be done. Throughout 2025, France made strides that positioned it to be a leader in the European cannabis market.
The timeline of success in 2025 was laid out:
- March: Detailed plans submitted to the European Commission.
- June: Framework approved by Brussels.
- August: Validated by the Conseil d’État.
The only remaining step is for ministers to sign the bill for publication in the Journal Officiel. However, political instability has repeatedly stalled this final signature. The dissolution of the National Assembly created a chaotic environment where medical cannabis fell down the priority list.
“The process was going on, we had milestones to reach in 2024, and then with the dissolution, it was a complete mess,” Péribère explained. The subject, which had become technical and administrative, became “political again” following government shifts.
Reimbursement Bottleneck
Beyond the signature on the decree, another major hurdle looms: money. specifically, who pays for the treatment?
The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) is responsible for finalizing the reimbursement evaluation. This determines the pricing structure and how much of the cost will be covered by the state.
However, the HAS is currently in a bind. In December 2025, the body explicitly stated it could not complete its work on pricing until the official decree is published.
The HAS had originally targeted Q1 2026 for its final recommendations. With the publication delayed, this deadline is now unrealistic. Since the HAS also determines prescriber training requirements, this bottleneck effectively halts the practical rollout of the program, regardless of product availability.
France’s “Pharmaceutical Eye”: No Raw Flower
One of the most distinct aspects of the French model—and a contributing factor to the delay—is its strict adherence to pharmaceutical standards. Unlike other markets that have created unique categories for cannabis, France is integrating it directly into its existing pharmaceutical framework.
This decision comes with consequences for product types. The authorities are taking a hardline stance against raw cannabis flower.
“The med agency over here… they don’t want to hear about buds to be distributed anywhere for patients,” Péribère told Business of Cannabis. “They look at it with a pharmaceutical eye, not as it is done in many countries.”
While flower is technically permitted, it is heavily restricted. It must be packaged in sealed, single-use vape cartridges designed for use with CE-approved medical devices. This requirement aims to ensure controlled, repeatable dosing—a staple of pharmaceutical medicine—but it creates a significant barrier to entry for producers and manufacturers.
Patient Attrition Across France’s Medical Cannabis Program
While regulators debate timelines and protocols, the patient base for the pilot program has shrunk drastically. According to reporting cited by Business of Cannabis partners at Newsweed.fr, citing commentary from Dr Nicolas Authier,, the France’s medical cannabis program has seen a 75% attrition rate. From a peak of roughly 3,000 patients, only about 700 remain.
This drop raises uncomfortable questions. Have patients given up on the bureaucracy? Have they turned to the illicit market or other prescription pathways? The shrinking patient pool suggests that the uncertainty and delays are having a tangible negative impact on the very people the program is designed to help.
For now, the industry and patients are forced to wait. The extension of the pilot program buys time, but it does not solve the underlying issue of access. As industry leaders gather at the upcoming Cannabis Europa in Paris to discuss these challenges, the focus will remain on when the government will finally sign the papers to turn a “complete” framework into a functioning reality.
