Is Cannabis Legal in Paris? | Legal Status Explained

Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in Paris and throughout France. Possession and consumption are prohibited under French law, with penalties including fines and potential imprisonment. In 2020, France introduced a €200 on-the-spot fine for adults caught using cannabis, which can increase to €450 if unpaid after 45 days. While this measure aims to reduce judicial congestion, it does not equate to decriminalisation or legalisation. Authorities continue to enforce these laws, particularly near schools and public spaces.

Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis is legal in France but is subject to strict regulations. A limited pilot programme initiated in 2021 allows certain patients with conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and cancer-related symptoms to access cannabis-based treatments. These treatments are available in specific forms, including oral oils and vapourised flower, and are prescribed under tightly controlled conditions. The programme is set to continue until at least December 2024, with discussions ongoing about its potential expansion.

CBD Products

Cannabidiol (CBD) products containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are legal in France. These products are widely available in health food stores, pharmacies, and online retailers. They are commonly used for various wellness purposes, such as stress relief and sleep aid. However, the sale of CBD products is subject to specific regulations, and they cannot be marketed with medicinal claims unless authorised by health authorities.

Cultivation

Cultivating cannabis is illegal in France, including in Paris. The law does not differentiate between recreational and medicinal use concerning cultivation. Growing cannabis, regardless of the intended purpose, is considered a criminal offence and can result in severe penalties. Even for medical purposes, patients are not permitted to cultivate cannabis plants; all medicinal cannabis must be obtained through licensed pharmacies.

Public Demonstrations and Advocacy

Public demonstrations advocating for cannabis legalisation are not explicitly prohibited by law; however, such activities are uncommon and may attract legal scrutiny. France maintains a conservative stance on drug policy, and public advocacy for cannabis reform is limited. While there have been isolated instances of public demonstrations, they have not led to significant policy changes. The prevailing political climate does not favour the legalisation of cannabis, and public discourse on the issue is minimal.

National Legal Context and Paris Enforcement

French drug control is anchored in the Public Health Code and the Penal Code. Possession, purchase, transport and use of cannabis remain criminal offences under article L3421‑1, which carries a theoretical maximum of one year in prison and a fine of three thousand seven hundred and fifty euros. In practice, since September 2020 police may offer an on‑the‑spot fixed penalty of two hundred euros, introduced to streamline minor cases and free investigative resources for trafficking. Early payment within fifteen days reduces the amount to one hundred and fifty euros, while late payment after forty‑five days raises it to four hundred and fifty euros. The Library of Congress

Possession and Personal Use Rules

There is no quantity threshold that automatically converts possession into a non‑criminal matter. Whether the individual holds a single gram or several, police may still issue the fixed penalty, or they may open a criminal file if they suspect supply. Officers have discretion, informed by factors such as past offences or the presence of weighing scales. Parisians report that the smallest traces—an unfinished joint or crumbs in a grinder—are enough to justify seizure and a ticket. Tourists should therefore carry no cannabis at all if they wish to avoid contact with the authorities.

Fixed Fines and Court Penalties

Although the two‑hundred‑euro ticket is now the default response to simple use, more serious outcomes remain possible. Refusal to show identification, non‑payment of the fine, or possession linked to another crime can lead to formal charges. Courts may impose suspended prison sentences, mandatory drug counselling or community service. Nationwide statistics released in late 2024 recorded more than one hundred thousand fixed penalties since the scheme began, demonstrating widespread enforcement. Le Monde.fr

Police Practice in Parisian Neighbourhoods

The Préfecture de Police maintains a visible presence in districts popular with visitors, notably the Champs‑Élysées, Montmartre and the area around Gare du Nord. Plain‑clothes units patrol night‑time hotspots such as Bastille and Pigalle. Officers rely heavily on the smell of cannabis, behaviour cues and CCTV alerts. A search of pockets or bags may follow a simple street check, and the law allows them to conduct these checks without a warrant when drug suspicion exists. Confiscated material is logged, weighed and destroyed; the traveller receives paperwork in both French and English explaining how to settle the fine.

Sale, Trafficking and Larger Offences

Commercial supply remains a serious crime. Selling any quantity or possessing amounts prepared for sale can draw prison terms of up to ten years and a fine of seven million five hundred thousand euros. Aggravating factors include sales to minors, involvement of organised groups, or possession of weapons. Police operations in the Paris suburbs continue to seize significant quantities, reflecting the city’s role as a major consumer market. Visitors must therefore avoid informal street vendors who operate around tourist sites, since buying from them exposes both buyer and seller to immediate arrest.

CBD and Hemp Products in Paris

France now follows the European Union threshold that allows hemp products containing no more than zero point three per cent delta‑nine tetrahydrocannabinol. In December 2022 the Conseil d’État annulled a government order that had attempted to ban the sale of raw CBD flowers and leaves, stating that such products are legal provided they remain within the THC limit and come from approved plant varieties. Since that ruling, specialist boutiques have flourished in Paris, offering oils, teas and low‑THC flower marketed as détente or relaxation blends. Shoppers should look for labels showing batch numbers and laboratory certificates. Police sometimes test CBD flower at the roadside; if THC exceeds the legal ceiling the substance is treated as cannabis and the owner faces the standard penalties. Conseil d'État

Medical Cannabis Pilot Programme

France launched a tightly controlled medical cannabis trial in March 2021, covering conditions such as treatment‑resistant epilepsy, chemotherapy side effects and neuropathic pain. The pilot, involving several thousand patients nationwide, has been extended through 2025 while the Ministry of Health evaluates safety and supply. Only hospital specialists may prescribe, and medicines are dispensed through hospital pharmacies. UK prescriptions are not recognised, and importing medical cannabis without a French authorisation is illegal. Travellers who rely on cannabis‑based medicines at home must therefore consult their clinician about alternative treatments during their stay.

Driving Regulations and Workplace Testing

France enforces strict zero‑tolerance rules for driving after cannabis use. A roadside saliva test that detects active THC triggers an administrative fine of nine hundred euros, a six‑point licence deduction and up to three years’ suspension. A confirmatory blood test in hospital follows any positive roadside sample. The legal threshold stands at one nanogram of THC per millilitre of blood, according to the 2001 decree that defines drug‑driving limits. Employers in high‑risk sectors such as transport, aviation and heavy industry may require drug tests, and refusal can lead to disciplinary action. Legifrance

Airports and International Travel

Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports operate sophisticated detection protocols, including ion scanners and canine teams trained for narcotics. Travellers caught with cannabis during security screening face seizure of the product, the fixed fine and possible missed flights. Customs officers have the authority to search luggage arriving from destinations perceived as high risk. Attempts to post cannabis back to the UK are treated as trafficking and attract severe penalties on both sides of the Channel.

Youth Protection and Minors

Supplying cannabis to anyone under eighteen carries enhanced penalties, beginning at five years’ imprisonment. Consumption within sight of schools or on premises dedicated to minors attracts higher fines. Paris municipal police patrol playgrounds and sports facilities, and CCTV networks link directly to control rooms that can dispatch officers rapidly. Parents or guardians caught sharing cannabis with teenagers may face charges of child endangerment alongside drug offences.

Social Attitudes and Culture

Despite strict laws, France records some of the highest cannabis usage rates in Europe. Public opinion is divided: surveys show growing support for regulation, yet successive governments have ruled out legalisation, arguing that the fixed‑fine system already strikes a balance between deterrence and administrative efficiency. In creative circles cannabis references appear in music and film, but the Public Health Code restricts promotion of drug use, so open advertising remains rare. Visitors will notice that most Parisians consume discreetly behind closed doors.

Common Misunderstandings

Many tourists believe small amounts are tolerated because they see occasional public smoking along the Canal Saint‑Martin. In reality those users risk the same two‑hundred‑euro ticket as anyone else. Some think that CBD shops double as cannabis dispensaries; they do not, and asking for high‑THC products marks a visitor out for instant refusal. Others assume that paying the on‑the‑spot fine erases the record; in fact the infraction remains in a police database for several years and may appear in background checks required for certain visas or work permits.

Summary

Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Paris with strict penalties for possession and consumption. Medical cannabis is available under a limited pilot programme for specific conditions. CBD products are legal if they contain less than 0.3% THC but must comply with regulations. Cultivation of cannabis is illegal, and public advocacy for legalisation is minimal. Individuals should adhere to local laws to avoid legal consequences.