Effects, in pharmacies, dependence, to sleep?

In flowers, infusion, oil, drop … You can buy CBD legally in France in stores dedicated to its sale since December 29, 2022 and even in pharmacy in the form of food supplements or cosmetic products. On the other hand, smoking products based on CBD are prohibited for sale in pharmacies. The CBD would be good for the skin, would help sleep, reduce stress … But what is it? What differences with cannabis also extracted from hemp and prohibited in France?

What is CBD?

The CBD designates the Cannabidiol, one of the main cannabinoid-type active substances of the hemp plant (Sativa cannabis), in the same way as THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol). It is mainly found in the flower and adjacent leaves. The CBD sold in France is extracted from a specific variety of cannabis authorized for its culture because it contains less than 0.3% of THC and is therefore not considered an amazing. It is thus distinguished from “cannabis” sold illegally in France because it is more strongly concentrated in THC. “The CBD remains a psychoactive substance, which can have interactions with other molecules, including drugs”estimates the mildeca.

In what form can we buy CBD in France?

• CBD oil and CBD e-liquids: vaping liquids containing CBD are authorized but their THC content should not be greater than 0.3%
• CBD flowers: sale to consumers of flowers or raw leaves in all their forms, alone or in mixing with other ingredients is authorized.
• Food based on CBD: only seeds and hemp fibers as well as derivative products are authorized as foodstuffs (including food supplements). The CBD being considered as a “new food”, the latter and foodstuffs containing it cannot be marketed without prior assessment and authorization by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
• CBD cosmetics: pure CBD can be authorized as ingredient in cosmetic products, as well as cannabis derivatives, only in the form of an isolate.

Since when is the CBD legal in France?

A decision of the European Court of Justice in November 2020 acknowledged that cannabidiol was not an amazing accelerating its development in Europe. The French government wished to prohibit the sale of CBD flowers and raw leaves in December 2021 because “Consumption by smoking paths of flowers and raw leaves presents proven health risks” But the Council of State opposed it in December 2022, holding “that it is not established that the consumption of flowers and leaves of these varieties of cannabis with a low level of THC would include risks to public health”. The public health code (article R. 5132-86) prohibits production, marketing, detention, purchase or consumption of cannabis (plant, resin and derivatives). But he plans that “Culture, import, export and industrial and commercial use of cannabis varieties without astounding properties” can be allowed. The CBD is therefore legal in France under certain conditions recalled by the government:

• Products from the hemp on the market must have a THC content which is not more than 0.3%. Otherwise, they are the criminal policy of fighting drugs.
• The vaping liquids containing CBD are authorized, provided that the importers and sellers have ensured that their suppliers complied with the declaration of declaration under European regulations (REACH).
• CBD products cannot claim therapeutic allegations, unless they have been authorized as a drug for human or veterinary use.
• For cosmetic products, to date, only pure CBD, in the form of an isolate, is authorized there.
• Advertisements in favor of CBD products must not maintain confusion or amalgamate with a consumption of cannabis for so -called recreational use and thus promote cannabis.

What is the THC level in the CBD?

THE CBD products must have a Thc content of less than 0.3%. 0.3% being the maximum authorized limit. Beyond that, the product is considered an amazing.

What are the effects of CBD on the body?

Studies in fundamental research on the CBD have shown that it had Anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsants, neuroprotective and analgesic properties. “”Cannabidiol (CBD) in low doses has well-being effects: it relaxes, soothes, Reduces stress, facilitates sleep and can help better support pain thanks to its slight anti-inflammatory effect ” informs Dr. Pascal Douek. It is thus found in so -called products “well-being” but “We are more here in an economic strategy than in a real strategy around health even if it sometimes clings to therapeutic allegations but Without any demonstrated foundation“” Professor Nicolas Authier, psychiatrist, specialized in pharmacology and addictology, chief of medical pharmacology and the center of evaluation and pain treatment of the Clermont-Ferrand CHU, explained. “CBD scientific knowledge brings us proof every day that CBD is a substance that is not pharmacologically inert, However, Professor of Pharmacology, in an article for Mildeca. If the CBD does not act very little on cannabinoid receivers (those where THC is attached), it Acts in the brain especially on dopamine and serotonin receptors, thus making a full psychoactive product. Its consumption can therefore have Psychoactive, sedation and drowsiness effects. “ Moreover, in humans, Interactions between CBD and antiepileptic, anticoagulants, immunosuppressive drugs Or methadone, have been highlighted.

Is CBD as strong as cannabis? Can he make addicted?

The CBD sold in France is a priori lower than cannabis (illegal in France) since it is extracted from a variety of hemp which, to be cultivated in France, must Contain less than 0.3% THC. This variety of hemp is called “textile hemp”, “industrial hemp” or “cultivated hemp” and is authorized for culture in France. There are other varieties of hemp more strongly dosed in THC (such as Indian hemp) which are prohibited in France. THE CBD is therefore not an amazing unlike cannabis but he has still psychoactive effects. “If CBD does not act or very little about cannabinoid receivers (those where THC is set), it acts in the brain, especially on dopamine and serotonin receptors, thus making a full -fledged psychoactive product . sedation and drowsiness“” Recalls Professor Joelle Micallef, professor of pharmacology, for Mildeca.

What are the dangers of CBD?

The risks are linked to the smoked route of the CBD. “Many carcinogenic elements come from the combustion of organic substances” informs the Mildeca. Uncertainties on the effects for the health of consumption of CBD products persist on date, but scientific studies have shown that CBD is acting in the brain on dopamine and serotonin receptors, thus making a psychoactive product in its own right. Its consumption can therefore have psychoactive, sedation and drowsiness effects. In humans, interactions between CBD and anti-epileptic, anticoagulant, or immunosuppressive drugs have been highlighted. As a result, drug treatments, especially for certain pathologies, could be impacted because of unknown interactions with the CBD.

What are the drugs containing CBD in France?

To date, only one product containing only CBD (Epidyolex® drug) is available on the French market, its marketing authorization (AMM) giving it a medical indication in combination with clobazam in the treatment of epilepsy crises Associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, in patients 2 and over. An experiment with medical cannabis was initiated in March 2021 in France with 3000 patients. At the beginning of 2024, the drug agency announced the provision of cannabis drugs “In 2025 on medical prescription and for patients responding to the indications defined in the context of experimentation”.

What are the precautions and contraindications of the CBD?

“There is no contraindication for CBD well-being apart from allergy to additives that can be added to products” informs Dr. Pascal Douek. Dr. Douek recommends you “Buying CBD in structures that have the means to control products and ensure that they do not contain additives or contain as little as possible.” Some precautions are nevertheless imposed:

• CBD can interact with certain antiepileptic, anticoagulant, immunosuppressive or methadone drugs.
• The traces of THC possibly present in products containing CBD can pass into the blood or saliva of their consumers. Driving offense after using narcotics can be noted during steering wheel control.

What are the side effects of the CBD?

“Cannabidiol at low doses does not have little or no side effects (light digestive disorders, dry mouth, …)” indicates the doctor. Its consumption can nevertheless have effects of sedation and drowsiness. “In high doses, in children epileptic the CBD can cause diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness and liver disorders.”

Thanks to Dr. Pascal Douek, medical expert in medical cannabis*Author of medical cannabis, a new chance why, for whom, how? Editions Solar, 2020.