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CBD laws in France, like many other European countries, is complicated.
But we have some good news for you — France is one of the best places to be if you want to purchase CBD products legally.
With that being said, there are a few laws you should be aware of to remain legal — especially when shopping for CBD oils from other countries.
In this article, I cover everything you need to know about buying CBD products in France — including the laws, regulations, and offer advice on ordering CBD products online.
You can find many online suppliers that ship high-quality CBD products to France. However, some of these companies are international entities — so they may not strictly follow the regulations in place by the French government.
Therefore, it’s important that you take a few steps to ensure you’re in line with the law.
When shopping online, make sure you choose products made with CBD isolates to avoid any trouble with the authorities.
You may see CBD extracts labeled as “full-spectrum” — which means they have a variety of cannabinoids from the hemp plant, including THC. Avoid purchasing these extracts to make sure the oils you order are completely THC free to remain legal.
Most European-based CBD companies will ship directly to France. Our favorite brands are Nordic Oil, Endoca, and Reakiro.
The marijuana plant is illegal in France. It’s classified as a narcotic drug.
However, CBD is NOT considered a narcotic in the eyes of the government — but there are restrictions that must be followed in order for it to be legal.
In 2018, the French Government clarified its stance on CBD products.
As we mentioned above, people are free to grow their own hemp in France.
However, the hemp must be one of the government-approved strains and only the stems and fibers can be used — using the flowers in any way is strictly prohibited.
There’s some confusion here because the hemp plant is legally allowed to have 0.2% THC by weight — which isn’t the case with CBD products.
CBD is only legal to sell, use, and possess in France if it has 0% THC. If the product contains any THC at all, it may be considered a narcotic by the authorities.
Companies selling CBD are forbidden from making any therapeutic claims not recognized by the ANSM or the European Commission. Additionally, the marketing of CBD products is limited and can’t promote the use of cannabis in any way.
With all of this in mind, customers in France should look for products made from CBD isolate in order to remain within the 0% THC limit.
CBD isolates are hemp extracts that are thoroughly processed to remove any remaining THC and other cannabis compounds.
The difference between hemp and marijuana is largely cultural — both are actually the same species, known as Cannabis sativa.
Both hemp and marijuana are rich in CBD, but produce different amounts of other cannabinoids like THC, CBN, CBC, CBG, and much more. This is all controlled by the plant’s DNA.
The law separates hemp and marijuana based on how much THC is in the plant — THC is the chemical compound in cannabis that produces the psychoactive high.
In France, marijuana is defined as a strain of Cannabis sativa with more than 0.2% THC by weight. THC is the main reason why marijuana is illegal in many countries around the world — including France. It’s the primary psychoactive ingredient in the plant responsible for the high produced by marijuana.
According to French authorities, hemp is any Cannabis sativa with a THC content of less than 0.2%. Unlike marijuana, hemp cannot get the user high. For this reason, it’s considered a legal and abundant crop in France.
It’s important to know that cannabis is the umbrella term for both hemp and marijuana — and the distinction is crucial to understanding the laws regarding CBD in France.
France has been growing industrial hemp for hundreds of years. By 1850, France was producing more than 175,000 hectares of hemp — this number decreased to a low of 700 hectares by 1960 [1].
In more recent times, France has increased hemp production once again — and is now responsible for approximately 40% of Europe’s hemp production.
However, France’s laws regarding hemp and CBD are not always straightforward. Let’s examine these laws in more detail.
Overall, France is one of the best places to be in Europe if you’re interested in CBD products. France is Europe’s leading producer of hemp and the third-largest producer worldwide.
Under the current laws, you’re welcome to grow your own hemp on the condition that it’s one of the 20 approved strains with less than 0.2% THC and you only use the seeds, stems, leaves, and fibers of the plant.
French laws are slowly becoming more accepting of CBD products as people around the world recognize the value of cannabis extracts.
Although there are some restrictions, you should have no trouble finding high-quality CBD extracts in France as long as you purchase those with 0% THC.