France’s approach to cannabis policy and regulation is at a crossroads. While many countries in Europe have modernized their cannabis laws in recent years, lawmakers and regulators in France have appeared to be more reluctant to do so. After years of conducting research via France’s medical cannabis pilot experiment, the nation’s policymakers must now decide what to do next.

According to the European Union Drugs Agency’s 2025 report, an estimated 50.4% of adults in France report having consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetime. That is the largest lifetime cannabis usage rate out of any European Union member nation, with the next closest countries being Spain at 43.7% and Denmark at 37.6%.

Diving into the report a little further finds that 10.8% of French adults report having consumed cannabis within the last year, and 6.3% report having consumed cannabis within the last month. As the data clearly demonstrates, cannabis prohibition policies have done nothing to stop cannabis use in France, and it is beyond time for a better approach.

Permitting France’s adults, especially suffering patients, to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis is a much more sensible public policy approach compared to wasting public resources on enforcing failed prohibition policies. Furthermore, allowing regulated sales of cannabis products is better for public health outcomes compared to forcing consumers and patients to purchase products from unregulated sources.

Most European countries now allow regulated medical cannabis commerce to occur to some degree, and Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany have implemented national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. The Czech Republic has also adopted a national measure for adult-use legalization, which will take effect at the start of 2026. Policymakers in France would be wise to do the same.

It is against this backdrop that a very important event is set to take place. The Science in the City International 2025 conference will take place on September 11th and 12th, 2025, at the iconic La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France.

This prestigious event will gather global leaders from the policy, medical, and industry sectors to discuss advancements, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of medical cannabis. With France currently considering significant modernizations to its medical cannabis policies and regulations, the conference offers a unique platform to engage with leading experts.

The two-day conference in Bordeaux, France, will include:

•  A “Welcome to France” Champagne Reception on September 11 at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel. This exclusive evening will feature curated champagnes, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and live music—an elegant introduction for participants, speakers, and sponsors to connect in a luxurious yet relaxed ambiance.
• A Full-Day Medical Cannabis Conference on September 12 at La Cité du Vin, where leading voices in science, medicine, and industry will delve into the dynamic global medical cannabis landscape. Additionally, exhibitors will have the unique opportunity to showcase their innovations in the Hall Garonne.
• A VIP Networking Cocktail Soirée following the conference at the Hall Garonne of La Cité Du Vin, providing an intimate setting to foster deeper connections and meaningful collaborations among leaders and stakeholders.

The event’s organizers have assembled a prestigious lineup of guest faculty from diverse medical disciplines, renowned for their expertise and contributions to integrative and functional medicine. Additionally, public policy, legal, and industry experts will also share their expertise and personal journeys into the realm of plant-based medicine, offering unique perspectives on the intersection of law, industry, and emerging medical science.

Interested parties can find out more about the conference, including how to register, at: https://mrasrq.com/scienceinthecity