Where and how can I get a prescription for medical cannabis in France?

Thetrial of medical cannabis has finally begun. On Friday, March 26, 2021, the medicinal plant was prescribed for the first time at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. That said, how does one obtain a prescription for medical cannabis in France ? And where should one go? These are two questions many people are asking, which, in our opinion, is perfectly understandable. Cannabis, its derivatives, and their possession and use are regulated. Therefore, we aim to provide you with information that may shed light on this subject in this article.

The summary

• Information on patients, therapeutic indications and prescriptions
• Focus on the products and their suppliers
• Update on product safety
• Focus on the reference structures

Information on patients, therapeutic indications and prescriptions

Let's not get ahead of ourselves! Since this is a first in France, you're probably wondering how many patients will be involved initially. CBD.FR asked itself the same question. Our research reveals that the medical cannabis trial program in France will involve 3,000 patients over a two-year period. This is the result of hearings conducted by the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety) to establish the program's parameters. It's important to know that to be accepted into the program, patients must have already tried several conventional treatments without success and must not have any contraindications.

Also, no age limit has been specified. However, these patients will not be allowed to drive during the two-year trial. Why? Because some of the medications contain THC.

Furthermore, what about the therapeutic indications? In other words, what diseases/pathologies have been selected for this medical cannabis trial in France ? In fact, a total of five (5) have been chosen by the scientific committee. They are:

1. Painful spasticity associated with central nervous system disorders.
2. Some severe and drug-resistant forms of epilepsy.
3. Palliative situations.
4. Some stubborn symptoms in oncology.
5. Neuropathic pain that is refractory to available therapies.

Furthermore, how will prescriptions work for the patients concerned? Two points are essential in this regard. Firstly, prescriptions must be written by doctors specializing in these conditions. Secondly, patients with their prescriptions will then have to collect their cannabis-based products from pharmacies.

Focus on the products and their suppliers

In fact, certain forms of cannabis have been selected. These include, among others, oil,flowers, and oral forms. Regarding these, the relevant ratios are as follows: THC-dominant, CBD-, or a balanced THC/CBD ratio. In line with this, the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety) advises against consuming the flowers in the form of joints. Instead, it recommends preparing them as infusions.

What about the suppliers? As we all know, the cultivation of medical cannabis is still prohibited in France. Consequently, the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety) has selected foreign companies to supply the products necessary for themedical cannabis trial in France. These companies will provide the products free of charge for the duration of the program.

Update on product safety

Indeed, the program's managers ensure that all products used are safe for patients. In this regard, two batches of medication have already been recalled due to manufacturing defects. The ANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety) addressed this issue in a press release dated April 2nd.

“Several incidents have been reported to the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety) concerning a quality defect in the Tilray Oral Solution THC10 CBD10. This defect involves a leak at the bottle cap. Medipha, the distributor of this medication for Tilray, is recalling the affected batches, which have been quarantined pending this recall. No bottles have been dispensed to any patients. Physicians and pharmacists participating in the trial have been informed that they must no longer prescribe or dispense the recalled batches. Other available medications allow the trial to continue and ensure that patient needs are met.”

Focus on the reference structures

A list of 200 referral centers spread across 170 hospitals has been published to make life easier for patients involved in this program. CBD.FR also makes it accessible to its readers. You can view the complete interactive map of referral centers below. If your device doesn't allow it, we encourage you to download your copy for a more convenient experience.

Would you like to download your copy? Do so below!

Also read: Publication of the decree authorizing the experimentation of therapeutic cannabis in France.