Is Crack Cocaine legal in France?
- Legal status
- Crack is the freebase (base) form of cocaine and has no separate legal identity in France: it is controlled AS cocaine, classified as a stupéfiant (narcotic) under the Public Health Code (Law of 31 Dec 1970), whose narcotic classification covers cocaine, its salts and preparations and so reaches the base/freebase form. Crack is treated identically to cocaine as an illegal stupéfiant.
- Consequences if caught
- Use of crack (as cocaine) is an offence (Art L3421-1, up to 1 year); trafficking under the Penal Code carries up to 10 years, and organised trafficking up to 30 years.
- If prescribed or medical
- Cocaine hydrochloride has residual authorised use as a topical anaesthetic under narcotic prescribing rules; the crack/freebase base has no pharmaceutical form and is not prescribable.
- Documentation
- No medical documentation exists for crack/freebase cocaine; it is not an authorised medicinal product.
Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Crack Cocaine 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
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