France is moving toward a regulatory framework for medical cannabis in France. Charles S. Messal explains why education and science will be decisive.
What are the latest advances of the medicinal cannabis sector in France?
France is at a turning point for medical cannabis, and I believe this moment is too important to let pass quietly. After years of tentative pilots, the government is now putting a permanent framework in place that will regulate how cannabis-based medicines are produced, prescribed and reimbursed. For me, this is not just a regulatory milestone. It is a call to action.
If cannabis is to take its rightful place in modern medicine, every health professional, from oncologists to general practitioners, nurses to pharmacists, must be educated on how and when to use it responsibly. Knowledge is what removes stigma. We have to move past old prejudices and treat cannabis as we would any other therapy, on the basis of evidence, patient need and clinical judgment.
That is why we are putting so much energy into our upcoming symposium, Science in the City International, on September 11 and 12. We are bringing together doctors, researchers and policymakers to share data, challenge assumptions and ensure that medical cannabis is understood rather than feared. This is about equipping practitioners with the tools they need to make informed decisions and showing patients that their care will not be compromised by outdated misconceptions.
The government’s decision to extend the medical cannabis pilot until March 2026 while building a full regulatory pathway is a welcome step. But rules alone will not change minds or clinical practice. Education will. Collaboration will. A shared commitment to science will.
I believe France can lead with rigor and compassion, creating a medical cannabis program worthy of our health-care system and our patients. We must seize this moment to learn, to teach and to speak openly. That is the mission behind our work, and it is the spirit we are bringing to Science in the City International this September.
Charles S. Messal, B.A.
Chief Operations Officer & Services Manager
Medical Resource Association, Inc.
