Recently, a unanimous vote in France's National Assembly paved the way for a pioneering two-year trial of therapeutic cannabis, set to commence in 2020.
On October 25, 2019, during deliberations on the 2020 Social Security budget draft, National Assembly members approved an amendment proposed by Isère deputy Olivier Véran (LREM), as reported by France Info. This initiative launches a two-year experiment with medical cannabis in France, running from 2020 to 2022. Success could lead to nationwide implementation.
The trial targets patients with severe conditions, such as those experiencing chemotherapy side effects, neuropathic pain, certain epilepsies, and individuals in palliative care.
Per Olivier Véran, approximately 3,000 patients will participate, with protocols vetted by the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM). Trials will occur in specialized hospital centers. Initial prescriptions will come from specialist physicians, like neurologists or pain management experts, followed by close monitoring for efficacy and safety. Patients can initially source products from hospital pharmacies, later expanding to community pharmacies.
Administration options include dried flowers (for vaporization or other methods), oils, and herbal tea preparations. Dosages will be tailored based on key cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has psychoactive effects, and cannabidiol (CBD), known for muscle relaxation.
France Info featured Mado Gilanton, representative of the Rare Diseases Alliance on the ANSM's temporary scientific committee for therapeutic cannabis.
"I am 65 years old. I have struggled with drugs all my life. And then one day, I was affected by a rare disease called syringomyelia, which is a spinal cord condition causing extreme neuropathic pain resistant to all treatments. I relied on heavy opioids that provided no relief but led to addiction. Pushed by loved ones, I tried smoking a cannabis joint, and it delivered instant relief like no other medication."
Sources: France Info – Huffington Post
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