Thanks to a historic ruling, which arrived last December 29th from the Council of State, the sale of hemp flowers and leaves containing CBD, the active ingredient of cannabis that has no psychotropic effects, is finally legal in France.
The long-awaited verdict, which authorizes trade of inflorescences as CBD-based products, comes about a year after the decision taken in the opposite direction by the French government on December 31, 2021.
In fact, the sale and consumption of flowers with low THC content had been banned, leaving only their sale legal of the transformed based on CBD. A month later, however, the administrative body suspended the application of this text pending the final opinion.
France: legal cannabis light pushes an all-green market
Arrived after almost a year of reflection, the decision taken by the Council of State will allow, in addition to trade, also to cultivation and the production of all parts of the hemp plant, previously limited to seeds and fibres, promoting new job opportunities and the development of the agricultural sector.
How reported from Que Choisir: “The Council of State agreed with the trade unions of the sector, considering the ban "disproportionate". The concentration of THC and CBD in products is easily verifiable, and at a lower cost: the sale of raw leaves and flowers is therefore not an obstacle to anti-drug policy.”
Indeed, it could help the fight against drugs. In fact, as we learn from some studies conducted in Switzerland, where the light cannabis market started several years ago, the sale of CBD-based products could encourage the decrease in dealing and drug use.
In our country, however, despite the well-documented economic, social and environmental benefits, there seems to be no desire to take the path of regulation, quite the opposite. One was presented last October 13th law what he wants ban the sale and consumption of light cannabis, making the Italian green market even more difficult, even if it wasn't already reeling.
