The Assembly of French Polynesia recently voted to repeal the law of January 5, 2023, which aimed to pave the way for the legalization of therapeutic cannabis. This decision, motivated by the complexity of the implementation of the initial law, sparked debates between the different political currents in the archipelago. It must nevertheless pave the way for a new, more rational and more effective framework for therapeutic cannabis in the region.
Repeal to better legalize
Political game or real necessity? The assembly session in any case focused on the repeal of the law of January 5, 2023, which initiated the legalization of the medical use of cannabis in Polynesia, but which was considered too complex to be implemented. in time. It indeed required numerous deliberations and decrees. And the absence of implementing regulations in the initial law made it obsolete 1 year after its vote, hence the repeal.
TNTV reported that the repeal was a controversial issue, with the Tavini majority and A’Here ia Porinetia voting against the law described as a “gas plant” by Moetai Brotherson. The complications of the original law were acknowledged by unaffiliated representatives, including Nicole Sanquer, who stressed the importance of depoliticizing the process.
Although she expressed skepticism about the government’s motives, Ms. Sanquer voted in favor of the repeal, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the reality of the therapeutic use of cannabis in the country. She stressed the need for a more effective and targeted approach, echoing the sentiment that the previous attempt had been more about electoral strategy than practical governance.
Medical cannabis and hemp
The Moetai Brotherson government will now have to develop a new text which will simplify the eligibility process, which will include traditional practitioners among those authorized to distribute therapeutic cannabis and which will authorize the importation of cannabis-based medicines. The Minister of Health, Cédric Mercadal, assured that the new draft text would be submitted before the end of December, with a presentation to the Assembly planned for January.
The government must also legislate on the establishment of a hemp industry, a challenge to which are added the ongoing studies of the Louis Malardé Institute on the census of local varieties of cannabis. The future text on hemp could align with the metropolis and its maximum THC threshold for plants and products derived from them, namely less than 0.3% THC.
This strategic approach aims to facilitate implementation and address concerns regarding the unregulated use of cannabis products. Local associations are nevertheless campaigning for a level of 1% THC in the plant due to the climate being very favorable to the growth of cannabinoids in hemp.
