Medical Cannabis Decision to Be Postponed in France by Second Study

Back in March 2021, France commenced a milestone medical cannabis trial. Three thousand patients were to participate in a two-year study to determine the future of medical cannabis in France.

Now, as the trial enters its final six months, it seems a decision on legalization will have to wait. However, nothing is certain yet, so be sure to follow the story by downloading our free cannabis news app.

A New Medical Cannabis Trial Awaits

There was hope on the side of the patients. However, they will have to be patient. According to the latest information, the medical cannabis study, which will end in March 2023, may not lead to the legalization of medical cannabis in France.

Instead, there will be a second trial with an as-yet undetermined budget and duration. A major difference compared to the first one: suppliers will be paid for the medical cannabis products this time.

France Will Likely Launch a Public Tender

An inside source has already confirmed that the National Agency of Health and Medicines has asked current suppliers for pricing to estimate the cost of the second experimentation.

With the calculated cost of the second trial being high, the Agency would be obliged to launch a call for tenders, which is compulsory in France as soon as the quantity of a public contract exceeds 40 000€ (or 100 000€ for innovative products). As such, supply contracts for medical cannabis will be open to companies not currently part of the study.

This public tender obligation was avoided during the first trial since suppliers provided medical cannabis for free. The ANSM had thus taken advantage of more freedom to choose the suppliers at discretion.

The Current Medical Cannabis Trial

As for the current medical cannabis study, the inclusions have finally been extended until December 26. At the beginning of July, 1,226 patients were in the trial out of the 3,000 open places. Five hundred forty patients have left the trial since its launch, including 186 for adverse effects and 200 for treatment ineffectiveness.

A report, carried out by an external entity, will be submitted to the French Parliament on September 26, six months before the end of the medical cannabis experiment, and will evaluate the system based on the data collected.

Medical Cannabis Committee President Remains Quiet for Now

Nicolas Authier, president of the temporary scientific committee charged with following the medical cannabis study is quiet on the possible continuation of the trial. But he did confirm that “the arbitrations are now political and will take place in the coming weeks because it will have to integrate the continuation (from April 2023) in the PLFSS2023.” The PLFSS2023 is the Social Security Financing Bill that sets the state’s annual spending on health.

It is only a short step from there to conclude that allocating a budget to treat sick people, and moreover with medical cannabis, is the thing preventing the generalization of medical cannabis.

Nicolas Authier explains that there are still two significant points to be settled:

• The status of these products (in this case, will they be integrated into the public health code, or by magistral preparation)
• The reimbursement or not by the health insurance.

The DGS did not respond to any requests for clarification on the new medical cannabis trial.

—

(Featured image by Jess Loiterton via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published by Newsweed, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.