Paula joins at a critical time in the French cannabis debate. On 13th December 2018, the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) recommended the legalisation of medical cannabis, following the publication of the first findings of its Temporary Specialist Scientific Committee (CSST) on medical cannabis. The committee was set up by the ANSM in September 2018 for the duration of one year with the task to evaluate the desirability and feasibility of medical cannabis legalisation in France. The committee found that it is “pertinent to authorise the use of medical cannabis” for patients with certain specified conditions, namely:
- Chronic pain;
- Some forms of severe and drug-resistant epilepsy;
- As part of supportive care in oncology;
- In palliative situations;
- For multiple sclerosis spasticity.
The announcement came after a three-month inquiry, kickstarted by the French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn stating that medical cannabis “could happen” in France. The committee, composed of medical professionals and a representative from a patients’ association, also recommended continuing assessment of any patients being treated, and that legislation is put in place to make the drug available. On 30 January 2019, the Committee met again, debating more practical aspects of the how to introduce medical cannabis, e.g. routes of administration.
Paula’s appointment comes just days ahead of the launch of Cannabis Europa Paris. Taking place on 8th February at Maison de la Chime, Cannabis Europa Paris will be the first-ever major global medical cannabis industry event in France. The timing of the event is pivotal with both national attitudes favouring the legalisation of cannabis (recent polling shows that 82% of the French population supports the use of medical cannabis) and multinational bodies, such as The European Parliament and the WHO, examining the legal status of cannabis.
With France widely regarded as the next major European country likely to implement policy changes, following major developments in neighbouring countries, including the United Kingdom, Portugal and Luxembourg, Paula’s expertise and positioning will be an asset to Prohibition Partners’ international operations.
The ECH team will be co-hosting Cannabis Europa Paris this week, if you would like to speak to a member of our team, please get in touch at info@europeancannabisholdings.com to schedule a meeting.
For a full review of the France cannabis market, download The European Cannabis Report:5th Edition.
