REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Industrial hemp (sativa L.) differs from medicinal cannabis, which is still a subject of debate as it contains a significant amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), unlike hemp.
Strictly regulated, the cultivation of industrial hemp in France is governed by both the country’s Public Health Code and European regulations. This means that only the seed production and marketing cooperative HEMP-it is authorised to supply industrial hemp seeds, and only varieties containing less than 0.3% THC are permitted for cultivation. Seventy-nine varieties of hemp are currently authorised in Europe, but only 21 of these are permitted by the French authorities. The HEMP-it catalogue contains 17 propagable varieties that are certified and listed in the European catalogue.
THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR CBD
According to the French order of 30 December 2021 implementing Article R. 5132-86 of the Public Health Code, only active farmers as defined by current European and national regulations may cultivate hemp flowers and leaves (and only farmers registered with the MSA agricultural social security body may do so on French territory). Only varieties with a THC content of less than 0.30% that are listed in the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species or in the official catalogue of plant species and varieties may be cultivated in France (certified).
