Obtaining a license to legally produce CBD in France: the complete guide

Do you need a license to become a CBD producer in France?

Well, no! You don't need a specific license to produce CBD in France. Some sources mention obtaining a mandatory license by submitting a file (business plans, criminal record, etc.), but this is not actually true. While some countries, such as the United States, require this, this is not the case in France in 2025.

For the time being, the cultivation of hemp from which CBD is extracted is associated with agriculture. To become a CBD producer, you must be a registered farmer. This involves obtaining a PACAGE number and joining the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA) in your department. If you want to set up a simple structure such as a micro-BA (micro-agricultural profit), you can easily do so online on the INPI website.

For more information, contact your local Chamber of Agriculture. They can advise you on how to become a farmer. Please also note that there is no minimum amount of land you need to own to become a farmer—and therefore a CBD producer. You do not need to obtain professional agricultural qualifications (CPA) or a vocational baccalaureate in agricultural economics and agronomy (CGEA). If certain organizations require you to do so, this is misinformation.

As the CBD industry is still new, it is not impossible that an official license to produce CBD will be introduced in the future. Regulating production legally takes time, and there is still a long way to go. The industry is still poorly understood, with confusion between recreational cannabis and CBD in particular.

CBD producer: what are your legal obligations?

While no license is required to become a CBD producer, you are required to comply with several obligations:

· Strict limit of 0.3% THC

CBD production is legal provided that the plants do not contain more than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). As THC is the psychoactive molecule in cannabis, exceeding this level is considered to be the production of narcotics, which is a criminal offense. You may face the destruction of your crops, a fine, and imprisonment.

· Declaration of cultivated hemp areas

You must declare your hemp plots to two organizations. First, the National Federation of Hemp Producers (FNPC). This is a declaration for the hemp industry that allows you to track your land and the varieties used. Secondly, the Departmental Directorate for Territories (DDT). As with any agricultural crop, it is necessary to make a CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) declaration.

· Authorized hemp varieties

To legally produce CBD, you must use authorized seeds. These are listed in the Official Catalog of Varieties of the European Union and sold by approved organizations. In France, the DDT carries out checks (on site or administrative) to ensure that the varieties used are legal and that their THC content does not exceed 0.3%.

· Regular product checks

Having your products analyzed by an independent laboratory allows you to determine the CBD and THC content and ensure that they are natural and free of harmful substances. Certificates of analysis must be easily accessible to consumers.  

Good to know

To avoid any misunderstandings with your neighbors, you can notify the police or city hall by mail, email, or phone, but you are not required to do so. This is primarily a precautionary measure.

Changing regulations surrounding CBD: how to bounce back?

In France, the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) closely monitors each cannabinoid. To prevent any health risks, it may decide, sometimes abruptly, to classify them as narcotics. This was the case in particular for the molecules HHC, H4CBD, and THCP.

Faced with an unstable hemp market, CBD producers are facing a major challenge: how to juggle successive bans and keep their business going? If you are interested in selling CBD but don't want to get involved in production, there is a solution: use a CBD wholesaler who is an expert in the sector, knows the market developments, and complies with the legislation in force.