French ANSM measure against synthetic cannabinoids
The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Medical Devices (ANSM) has decided to include new cannabinoids in the list of narcotic drugs.
France has taken a firm decision in the face of the increasing proliferation on the market of products containing synthetic cannabinoids, such as HHC, H4CBD, or THCP. These products are mainly marketed on the Internet and in some CBD stores, in the form of cannabis flowers (sprayed with these cannabinoids), cannabis resins (to which these compounds are added), sprays, gummies, vapes and e-liquids; to be consumed ingested, vaporized or smoked.
The Agency argues that these compounds, which have taken advantage of legal loopholes to enter the market, present significant risks due to their unknown safety, dependence potential and psychoactive effects.
Details of the new regulation
The measure, which will come into force next June 3, 2024, follows the ban on HHC last summer 2023 and the statement made in March on the intention to regulate these compounds.
In early May, the ANSM used the European Commission’s fast-track procedure to submit its draft ban. Cannabinoids now classified as narcotic drugs include:
- H4CBD (also called THC, hydrogenated CBD or tetrahydrocannabidiol)
- H2CBD (dihydrocannabidiol)
- THCP
- HHC, HHCO, HHCP and HCCPO
- In addition, the measure includes the prohibition of any substance derived from the benzo[c]chromene nucleus with certain structural modifications, with the exception of cannabinol (CBN).
Justification of the measure
In its official statement, the ANSM explained that these neo cannabinoids have been classified as narcotic drugs due to the health risks and potential for dependence associated with their consumption. The agency justified its action because it says it has received numerous reports of serious effects from the Centers for Assessment and Information on Drug Dependence and Addiction Surveillance (CEIP-A).
¿Cuáles son los riesgos de los cannabinoides sintéticos?
Además, la ANSM también destacó que la composición de estos productos puede no corresponder a la indicada en el embalaje, con concentraciones en cannabinoides generalmente elevadas y desconocidas para el consumidor.
It is foreseeable that several companies in the sector will challenge this new regulation, just as they tried to do with the HHC ban. For the time being, stores have started to liquidate their stocks.