Is Cannabis / THC legal in France?
- Legal status
- Prohibited (recreational) — a stupéfiant in the same category as heroin/cocaine (Law of 31 Dec 1970); medical-cannabis programme made law by decree March 2024 (prescription only)
- Consequences if caught
- Recreational cannabis is prohibited and classed as a stupéfiant alongside heroin and cocaine (Law of 31 Dec 1970). Personal use/possession is punishable by up to 1 year's imprisonment and a €3,750 fine (Art L3421-14); since 2019 a first-time minor possession is often dealt with by a €200 fixed fine (amende forfaitaire). Supply/trafficking carries up to 10 years and a €7.5 million fine, rising to 30 years for aggravated/organised offences. Import/export carries up to 10 years and €7.5 million. A medical-cannabis programme was made law by decree in March 2024 (ANSM-controlled, specific conditions, prescription only). Importing THC cannabis is prosecuted as drug trafficking even with a foreign medical card.
- If prescribed or medical
- Medical cannabis is available only through the French ANSM-controlled programme by prescription; a foreign medical-cannabis card does not authorise importing THC cannabis into France.
- Documentation
- EU/Schengen travel: carry prescribed narcotics/psychotropics with a Schengen certificate. From outside Schengen: carry the original prescription plus an ANSM personal-transport certificate (Attestation de transport personnel de médicaments stupéfiants) where the destination requires it; up to a 3-month personal supply (or the treatment duration). Keep medicines in hand luggage.
- Public Health Code Art. L3421-14 (Law of 31 Dec 1970)
- medical-cannabis decree (March 2024)
- ansm.sante.fr
- douane.gouv.fr
Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Cannabis / THC in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in France
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with France’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →