What are CBD gummies and where do they stand in France?

A CBD gummy is a gelled sweet, made with pectin or gelatine, incorporating a standardised hemp extract. The format appeals through its simplicity: no pipette, a fixed dose per unit, in the same family as the "sweet" supplements (multivitamins, melatonin) that have appeared on the European market since 2018. Legally, a CBD gummy is an ingested product: it falls within the scope of EU regulation 2015/2283 on novel foods.

EFSA had suspended its assessment of CBD as a novel food in 2022 because of toxicological gaps. On 9 February 2026 it published a very low provisionally safe daily dose, 0.0275 mg/kg of body weight per day, that is roughly 2 mg per day for a 70 kg adult, calculated with an uncertainty factor of 400. A gummy dosed at 10 or 25 mg exceeds that threshold on its own. The DGAL drew the consequences: since 15 May 2026, CBD gummies, capsules, infusions and drinks without European authorisation have been withdrawn from the French market. Non-ingested products (flowers, resins, e-liquids, cosmetics) remain authorised.

CBD isolate is cannabidiol at 98-99% purity, with no other hemp compound. Broad spectrum retains several minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC) and terpenes, without THC. Full spectrum preserves the whole plant profile, with traces of THC below the legal threshold of 0.30% in the finished product, in line with the Conseil d'État decision of 29 December 2022. Synthetic cannabinoids (HHC, H4CBD, THCP) have been banned since 3 June 2024, after more than 200 reports of serious poisonings recorded by ANSM.

A gummy goes through digestion: the effect is perceived between 30 and 90 minutes after taking it, and lasts longer (4 to 8 hours) than sublingual administration. The EFSA threshold of about 2 mg/day remains the only current health benchmark, and use is still inadvisable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, minors and people on medical treatment. A full-spectrum gummy can lead to a positive saliva screening test for THC: the Cour de cassation reiterated in 2023 that the legality of the product consumed does not exempt the driver.

On legitimate packaging, check the dose in mg per gummy (and not only per jar), the type of spectrum, the origin of the extract, the batch number with a certificate of analysis accessible online, the full ingredient list and the precautionary statements. Our article on how much CBD to use rounds out these benchmarks.

CBD is not a medicine. If you have any doubt about your wellbeing routine, consult a healthcare professional.

Are CBD gummies still available in France in 2026?

No. Since 15 May 2026, the DGAL has been withdrawing from the market ingested gummies without validated Novel Food authorisation. Non-ingested formats (flowers, e-liquids, cosmetics) remain legal.

What is the difference between a gummy and a sublingual oil?

Sublingual oil acts in 15 to 30 minutes via the mucous membranes. The gummy goes through digestion: a later onset (30-90 minutes) but a longer-lasting one (4 to 8 hours).

How many mg of CBD per day are permitted?

In February 2026 EFSA set a provisionally safe dose of 0.0275 mg/kg, that is roughly 2 mg for a 70 kg adult, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women and minors.

Can I drive after eating a CBD gummy?

Take care: a full-spectrum gummy contains traces of THC that are detectable in saliva for up to 24 hours. The Highway Code provides for no tolerance threshold.