French Polynesia is moving forward with its legalization of medical cannabis, and faster than in mainland France. This legislative moment embodied by the bill “regulates certain activities related to cannabis without narcotic properties and medications containing cannabis or cannabinoids”. represents an important development in the region.
The Health and Solidarity Committee voted unanimously in favor of the project, thus marking a crucial step towards its implementation that now awaits the inclusion of the text in the order of the Order of the Assembly of Polynesia French.
Legislative framework and objectives
The proposed legislation (see here) establishes a comprehensive framework for the importation of hemp seeds, the cultivation of hemp and the importation of medicinal products containing cannabis or cannabinoids.
This regulation aims, on the one hand, to establish a industry hemp and CBD to Fenua. The cultivation of hemp will therefore be authorized via a system of declaration of the activity of cultivation of cannabis without
of amazing property to do to the department in charge of agriculture. The authorized varieties will be established by decree and will be included in a catalog of authorized varieties. Cultivation of uncatalogued varieties may be authorized for research purposes.
The THC level of authorized varieties has not yet been established. The bill mentions a THC limit of 0.3%, the “maximum allowed rate” in mainland Europe and France, which is not entirely true since Italy allows 0.6%, Czech Republic 1% like Switzerland.
Considering local environmental factorsthe Polynesian Assembly would also be well advised to set this rate at 1% so as not to have to throw away the hemp crops that will easily exceed 0.3%.
On the other hand, the bill wants to regulate therapeutic cannabis by authorizing the import of medicines based on cannabis or cannabinoids, without restrictions on the form of these medicines. Polynesian patients could therefore, according to the text, be prescribed cannabis flowers unlike their continental counterparts who will be limited to oils and extracts.
Prescriptions will be carried out by health professionals and medicines will be delivered to pharmacies, which will also be authorized to import and prepare medicines for patients.
Mixed reactions and unanswered questions
Despite the progress made, not all stakeholders are completely satisfied with the project.
Karl Anihia, president of Tahiti Herb Culture (THC), while recognizing the importance of the legislative stage, criticized the law for its incomplete nature.
“I’ve lived for ten years, and it’s good, because it’s a first step. It’s not perfect, because the text is still incomplete, but we’re happy,” said Karl Anihia Tahiti Info. He expressed his frustration at not having been consulted during recent hearings, contrary to what President Moetai Brotherson had promised him. It also highlighted the government’s inconsistency and lack of clarity, particularly regarding the distinction betweenrecreational use, CBD and therapeutic applications.
In addition, the provisions relating to medical cannabis remain vague. The bill only mentions the importation of specific drugs based on cannabis that, in the countries where they are authorized, are strictly regulated and dispensed in pharmacies for certain listed diseases. According to Anihia, the Polynesian government does not have a clear direction on this topic.
“When I asked what medications and for what pathologies, they could not answer me. The only answer from Moetai Brotherson was that THC based drugs it would be available by the end of the year,” Mr. Anihia said.