Country

Cannabis and hemp laws

France

Recreational illegal (EUR 200 fine); medical pilot extended to 2027; HHC banned

Adult use

Illegal

Medical

Limited

Last reviewed

May 28, 2026

France

Cannabinoid status board

All states and compounds

No items found.

Cannabis / Marijuana

Illegal

THC limit

No consumer THC allowance — any THC product outside the medical framework is a narcotic; hemp/CBD capped at 0.3% total THC

Key law

Code de la santé publique Art. L.3421-1; Code pénal Arts. 222-34 à 222-43; LFSS 2024 Art. 78 (médicaments à base de cannabis)

Effective

March 26, 2021

Full rules

CBD

Restricted

THC limit

0.3% total THC (raised from 0.2% in 2025)

Key law

ANSM Neo-Cannabinoid Bans (2025); EU Novel Food Regulation 2015/2283

Effective

Full rules

Hemp (General)

Legal

THC limit

0.3% Delta-9-THC (Arrete du 30 decembre 2021, in force 1 January 2022)

Key law

Arrete du 30 decembre 2021 portant application de l'article R. 5132-86 du code de la sante publique (in force 1 January 2022); Reglement (UE) 2021/2115

Effective

January 1, 2022

Full rules

France

Latest news and analysis

Is HHC Legal in the UK & Europe? 2026 Country-by-Country Guide

HHC is banned in the UK, Germany, France, and Austria in 2026; the full European country-by-country legal status map for HHC and hemp brands.

Is CBD Legal in France in 2026? Yes, Below 0.3% THC — Full Consumer Guide

Yes — CBD is legal in France in 2026 below 0.3% THC. CBD flower, oils, and gummies allowed. HHC, THCP, and H4CBD are banned by ANSM. Travel rules inside.

France CBD THC Limit 2025: The 0.30% Rule, Neo-Cannabinoid Bans & Brand Compliance Guide

France caps CBD products at 0.30% total THC under 2022 rules, with neo-cannabinoid bans and import certificates driving the 2025 brand compliance checklist.

Is HHC Legal in Europe in 2026? Country-by-Country Status & Bans

HHC is banned in France, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Estonia, Finland & Bulgaria. The Netherlands banned HHC on Jan 28, 2026 — no EU market remains open.

Is CBD Legal in France in 2026? THC Limits, Banned Cannabinoids & Import Rules

CBD is legal in France in 2026 below 0.3% total THC, but ANSM has banned HHC, THCP, H4CBD, and HHCPO. Import rules inside.

Is HHC Legal in the UK & Europe? 2026 Country-by-Country Guide

HHC is banned in the UK, Germany, France, and Austria in 2026; the full European country-by-country legal status map for HHC and hemp brands.

Is CBD Legal in France in 2026? Yes, Below 0.3% THC — Full Consumer Guide

Yes — CBD is legal in France in 2026 below 0.3% THC. CBD flower, oils, and gummies allowed. HHC, THCP, and H4CBD are banned by ANSM. Travel rules inside.

France CBD THC Limit 2025: The 0.30% Rule, Neo-Cannabinoid Bans & Brand Compliance Guide

France caps CBD products at 0.30% total THC under 2022 rules, with neo-cannabinoid bans and import certificates driving the 2025 brand compliance checklist.

Is HHC Legal in Europe in 2026? Country-by-Country Status & Bans

HHC is banned in France, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Estonia, Finland & Bulgaria. The Netherlands banned HHC on Jan 28, 2026 — no EU market remains open.

Is CBD Legal in France in 2026? THC Limits, Banned Cannabinoids & Import Rules

CBD is legal in France in 2026 below 0.3% total THC, but ANSM has banned HHC, THCP, H4CBD, and HHCPO. Import rules inside.

FAQ

Common questions

Is marijuana legal in France?

No, recreational cannabis is illegal in France. Medical cannabis exists only inside a closed, tightly controlled framework that is transitioning from a national experiment to prescription-medicine status.

Is CBD legal in France?

CBD is legal in France as of 2025, with a 0.3% total THC limit and strict import requirements. France raised its hemp THC threshold from 0.2% to 0.3% in 2025, aligning with EU-wide standards.

Is hemp legal in France?

Industrial hemp is legal to cultivate, process and sell in France provided the plant variety is registered in the EU Common Catalogue and the standing crop contains no more than 0.3% Delta-9-THC.

Can you travel to France with cannabis or CBD?

Cannabis import and export are prohibited outside the licensed pharmaceutical chain. CBD products may be imported into France if they comply with the 0.3% total THC limit and carry ISO-accredited COAs translated into French.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Seed Legality

Only certified low-THC hemp seed is lawful; trading or holding drug-type cannabis seeds is prohibited.

Hemp seeds

Restricted

Marijuana seeds

Illegal

Sale

Illegal

Transacting

Illegal

Gifting

Illegal

France allows cannabis only as industrial hemp: Article R.5132-86 of the Code de la santé publique and the arrêté of 30 December 2021 restrict cultivation, import and sale to certified seed of catalogue-listed varieties with THC not exceeding 0.3%, reserved to professional operators, with hemp growing by private individuals prohibited even from certified seed. Seeds of non-certified, drug-type cannabis varieties fall within the narcotics prohibition, and marketing them can additionally be prosecuted as provocation to drug use under Article L.3421-4 of the same code. France recognizes no collector-seed exemption comparable to Spain or the UK.

Key law:

Code de la santé publique, art. R.5132-86 and L.3421-4; Arrêté du 30 décembre 2021

Last reviewed:

July 3, 2026

This section is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Seed laws change frequently — verify current law with qualified counsel before making decisions.

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