France to Ban CBD Vending Machines and Sales to Minors
The French government has advanced a decisive legislative amendment to tighten regulations on CBD and non-tobacco herbal smoking products. Approved by the Senate in its first reading on May 13, this measure seeks to ban the sale of these products through vending machines and outlaw their distribution to minors, addressing growing public health concerns over unregulated cannabinoids.
While the European Court of Justice’s 2020 “Kanavape” ruling legalized CBD products containing under 0.3% THC across the EU, French authorities argue current frameworks fail to protect youth. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) warned that CBD can have reprotoxic effects, particularly on adolescents and pregnant women. Additionally, officials emphasized that the combustion of herbal materials releases harmful carbon monoxide and tar.
A primary driver for the crackdown is the proliferation of adulterated vapes containing dangerous synthetic cannabinoids. French drug monitoring networks reported 345 synthetic cannabinoid cases in 2025—mostly involving minors aged 13 to 18. The crisis has escalated into 2026, with 125 cases and two suspected deaths recorded in the first quarter alone.
If fully enacted, the amendment will align herbal smoking products with existing tobacco restrictions. Beyond banning sales to minors and vending machine distribution, the government plans to target businesses passing off high-THC cannabis as legal CBD.
However, these proposed measures are not yet active. The bill must still be debated and approved by the National Assembly, and it may undergo review by the Constitutional Council before official publication and enforcement.
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