What this article covers
Is CBD legal in France ?
The CBD industry in France went through several years of legal uncertainty, particularly concerning hemp flowers (Cannabis Sativa). An order of 30 December 2021, issued by the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, raised the authorised THC limit to 0.3% but banned the sale of raw flowers and leaves to consumers. The reason given was the difficulty for the authorities of distinguishing CBD flowers from THC-rich recreational cannabis flowers, which look the same.
On 24 January 2022, the urgent applications judge of the Council of State suspended this ban; then, in its decision no. 444887 of 29 December 2022, the Council of State annulled it, finding a general and absolute ban disproportionate. Flowers and leaves from hemp varieties with no more than 0.3% THC may therefore be sold.
Foods containing CBD are a different matter: oils to swallow, capsules, gummies, sweets and drinks with CBD are not authorised as novel foods in the EU (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283), and the Ministry of Agriculture recalled on 20 May 2026 that they are illegal and must be withdrawn from the French market. Hemp seeds, hemp seed oil and non-enriched leaves for infusion remain permitted. Semi-synthetic cannabinoids (HHC, H4-CBD, THCP, etc.) have been classified as narcotics in France since 3 June 2024 (ANSM).
THC limits also vary in Europe: 0.3% for hemp grown in the European Union, and 1% in Switzerland, which is not an EU member.
What is the difference between THC and CBD ?
CBD and THC are two molecules that occur naturally in cannabis. Cannabis is a family of plants with 3 sub-genera :
- Cannabis Sativa also called industrial hemp, it is very rich in CBD (cannabidiol), and very poor in THC (no more than 0.3% in France)
- Cannabis Indica or marijuana, it is the cannabis with psychotropic effects, it is poor in CBD, but very rich in THC. Consuming or smoking this plant is prohibited by law.
- Cannabis Ruderalis, very little used because low in CBD and THC
CBD and THC are cannabinoids, and they have the capacity to activate certain receptors present in the organism, in humans as well as in other vertebrates.
The consumption of THC causes psychotropic effects. Indeed, marijuana has effects on several organs and functions of the body. These effects depend on the dose consumed, but can also vary according to the individual. Consumers are mainly looking for the euphoric effect of Indica cannabis, as well as the reduction of anxiety. Some effects can be more or less dangerous for the individual, such as reduced vigilance, disinhibition, memory loss and dangerous behavior.
CBD, on the other hand, is not psychotropic. In 2017, the World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence found that pure CBD does not appear to have abuse or dependence potential; this does not make it a medicine, and side effects (drowsiness, digestive disorders, interactions with medicines) have been reported.
The cultivation of hemp in France
In France, hemp (Cannabis Sativa) cultivation is enjoying great success: the cultivated area has kept increasing since the early 1990s, reaching 21,700 ha in 2022 (InterChanvre). Some historians believe that hemp was the first plant domesticated by man. It was then used for its nutritional properties, but also to make fabrics and ropes, thanks to the quality of its fibers. Over the centuries, many other uses were discovered, and today there are no less than 600 products derived from hemp. France is innovating in this field and has, for example, filed patents after the creation of a concrete made of hemp. Hemp-based products are numerous: flowers and cosmetics in the field of CBD, hemp seed oil for cooking, animal bedding made of hemp straw, house insulation, etc. With about 300 employees in its processing plants, the Cannabis Sativa industry remains modest, but the dynamism of its field, and the regular creation of new products, promises a bright future.
How is CBD extracted from the flowers?
Before it goes into a product (cosmetic, e-liquid, etc.), CBD must be extracted from the flowers of Cannabis Sativa. There are different ways to achieve this, each of which has an influence on the quality of the extract and its price:
- Extraction through a vegetable oil: cannabidiol is extracted from the flowers through a vegetable oil, such as sesame oil, hemp oil or olive oil. This simple method unfortunately does not give good results, and much CBD is lost.
- Solvent extraction: the flowers are soaked in various solvents (isopropyl alcohol, propane, butane or ethanol). This very inexpensive method often leaves traces of these products in the final solution; we advise against products made with this process.
- Supercritical CO2 extraction: this method has been used since the early 1980s in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to carefully extract molecules from plants. The low extraction temperature protects heat-sensitive molecules such as phytocannabinoids (CBD, CBG, etc.) and terpenes. The extract obtained is purer than with other methods, as it contains no solvent residues. This is the method we consider the cleanest.
What does research say about CBD ?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance found naturally in hemp. Unlike THC-rich recreational cannabis, it has no psychotropic effect; it is not a medicine, however, and no health claim is authorised for CBD in the European Union (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). CBD is not a medicine: if you have a health problem or take medication, ask your doctor for advice before using any CBD product.
CBD & pain
Researchers are studying whether CBD could play a role in pain perception. Most of this work is preclinical (cells, animals) or involves small groups of people: the results do not allow any conclusion to be drawn, and CBD is not a painkiller.
CBD & inflammation
Laboratory and animal studies are exploring how CBD interacts with inflammatory processes. These results cannot be transposed to humans: in case of muscle or joint pain, or of an inflammatory disease, it is a doctor you should consult.
CBD & stress and anxiety
A few small clinical trials have looked at CBD and anxiety. Their small sample sizes do not allow any effect to be confirmed.
Other avenues (post-traumatic stress, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders) are only research hypotheses. Anyone with an anxiety disorder should see a doctor: CBD is not a medicine.
How to choose your CBD products ?
You are about to buy CBD in France, either online or in a store, but you hesitate between different products (flowers, infusions, cosmetics, etc.), but also on the mode of production, indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse? A purchase online with delivery, or in store? A nice promo, with an incredible price? It is sometimes difficult to find your way, but we now know that the extraction method matters (supercritical CO2 being the cleanest); here are other important criteria:
Find out where the plant comes from
To buy high-quality CBD, we recommend that you ask about the plant's provenance :
- What country was it grown in ? Depending on the local growing code, various plant protection products may or may not be allowed.
- What is the quality of the soil in which the plant was grown? If the soil is full of nutrients, then hemp will produce beautiful CBD-rich flowers.
- Is it organic ? Hemp is a soil purifier, so it is very important that the products that might be used during the growth of the plant are organic, so as not to pollute the plant, and the soil.
Choose a broad spectrum product
Today in France, and in Europe, there is a multitude of CBD products, from flowers to creams and balms. The CBD stores have a lot of imagination, and at the time of purchase, it is sometimes complicated to make a choice in front of all these items. Do not fall into the trap of a cheap or discounted product of sometimes doubtful origin. A broad spectrum product contains, in addition to CBD, other compounds of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa): cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, etc.), terpenes and flavonoids. The so-called entourage effect, a possible synergy between these substances, is a hypothesis that is still being studied.
CBD products
In France since the legalization of the sale of CBD, we find in stores or online, all kinds of products with extremely different prices and quality, it is not easy to know which are the best. Here is our guide to find the products that are made for you :
- CBD oil: in France and the EU, a CBD oil intended to be swallowed is a food; as CBD is not authorised as a novel food in the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283), its sale is illegal in France (Ministry of Agriculture press release of 20 May 2026). Only products that comply with the rules of their category, such as cosmetics for external use, can be offered.
- CBD gums and gummies: these are foods; with added CBD, they are not authorised in the EU (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283) and cannot legally be sold in France (Ministry of Agriculture press release of 20 May 2026).
- CBD flowers: in France, hemp flowers and leaves with no more than 0.3% THC may be sold (Council of State, 29 December 2022, no. 444887). Smoking is harmful to health, and THC traces can make a roadside drug test positive.
- CBD balms: these are cosmetics for external use. A cosmetic may not claim any therapeutic property, whether for pain or for skin conditions.
- E-liquids: CBD e-liquids are vaping products, whose advertising is prohibited in France (Public Health Code, art. L3513-4). Their full composition is often hard to check at the time of purchase, so caution is advised.
- Etc.
What to check before buying CBD in France
With all these tips, you are ready to choose products that comply with French law. As a reminder, when you buy by delivery or in a store, make sure to always check :
- The CBD and THC content stated on the label and in the laboratory analysis.
- The origin of the hemp or flowers (Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, USA)
- The nature, organic or not ?
- The guarantees of quality indicated by the manufacturer
- The method of extraction from the flowers
- Is the product broad spectrum or not?
