Cannabidiol or CBD is currently in the spotlight in France.
At the end of 2020, the debate over its legalization was tumultuous and resulted in a criminal court decision banning it in France.
But on June 23rd, the Court of Cassation overturned this decision, ending the controversies by recognizing the legality of CBD-based products.
Beyond our borders, CBD has long been a non-issue. In Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, or other countries worldwide, CBD, also known as therapeutic cannabis, is legal for both consumption and marketing.
It was by considering European legislation that France finally decided to revisit its judgment.
CBD corresponds to the active and non-hallucinogenic molecule found in cannabis; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, is removed during CBD production.
It is produced from hemp, its leaves, or seeds.
This is where French legislation stands out: for commercialization in France to be legal, the CBD sold must come only from hemp seeds and not its leaves. Indeed, the THC level in seeds is much lower than in leaves. Although the THC is later removed during the CBD production process, only seed-derived CBD is currently recognized in France as having a sufficiently low THC content.
The benefits of CBD, however, are numerous and have already been demonstrated.
Many companies have understood this and have centered their activity around this promising product, convinced that CBD can help people with various diseases and conditions. This is the case, for example, with a diversified forestry company focused on sustainable forestry practices.
Jose Giron, COO of Amazonas Florestal, explains it well: “numerous studies have shown that CBD has anti-inflammatory effects and is often considered a natural solution to relieve pain, reduce anxiety/depression, combat stress levels, and improve sleep.”
France is very hesitant about broader legalization of CBD because the country is culturally very attached to the “zero-tolerance” policy toward drugs and hallucinogenic substances. But it’s a misunderstanding of CBD to persistently associate it with its cousin cannabis.
“Hundreds of compounds known as ‘cannabinoids’ are present in cannabis, among them CBD or THC. These cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system, a series of neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors. Our bodies are naturally programmed from birth to interact with these compounds. CBD is the compound associated with advantages such as reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and treating epilepsy, while THC produces the sensation of a high.”
It is nevertheless essential that the extraction work is carried out in ideal conditions, by companies that value the well-being of their users.
This is the case with Amazonas Florestal, which has developed a solid business relationship with Precision Extraction Solutions, widely recognized as the best manufacturer of cannabis extraction equipment in the United States.
Amazonas uses a T-SEP, a remarkable machine designed to separate THC from CBD at the molecular level, producing a ‘broad-spectrum’ CBD distillate.
As Jose Giron explained to us, numerous molecules are present in cannabis, and this type of CBD oil offers all the beneficial effects of cannabinoids found in the hemp flower while carefully removing the psychoactive effects of THC, which are completely eliminated during the remediation process.
Many opponents of CBD also fear too much competition for traditional therapeutic cannabis. For Jose Giron, the question does not arise, “I do not think that increased CBD consumption has impacted THC demand. This psychoactive component is still in high demand where it is legal to consume.”
Furthermore, the field of medical science is constantly experimenting, and in a short time, scientists have discovered that THC has benefits in treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc. Giron is convinced that at the current pace, the taboo surrounding the cannabis plant in some regions of the world will not last much longer and that the plant’s benefits will be accepted by a larger public.
“At Amazonas Florestal, we firmly believe in the positive impact CBD can have on people’s lives and are committed to producing a THC-free oil that offers the benefits of cannabis to all our customers.”
