For Benoît Samarcq, it is important to “establish traceability of CBD flowers”
For five years, almost everywhere in France, shops have been selling a component of hemp, CBD. How widespread is the phenomenon?
In November 2022, there were 2,000 stores in France. Their numbers may have declined a bit, but the momentum and potential for growth remains. Thus, sales of CBD-based products represented around 400 million euros in turnover last year and could reach 900 million euros by 2025. Most of this is made with flowers. smoking and oils, mainly in these specialized stores and online.
Sale and consumption of CBD flowers were banned before being authorized in January 2022. Does CBD remain a sulfurous product?
The main obstacle to market development is the image of cannabis, especially since some players in the sector are playing on confusion. (cannabidiol or CBD is one of the molecules contained in the hemp plant, otherwise called cannabis. Unlike THC, another major constituent, CBD does not create dependence, Editor’s note) . The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, suggested that the authorization of flowers was a first step towards the consumption of cannabis, but there is no proof of this. The important thing is to be able to guarantee good traceability, an absence of THC, and to succeed in developing French production, because currently most of the flowers and oils come from Switzerland or Italy.
Who uses CBD?
The appeal of novelty is evident among young consumers looking for discovery, but who do not want to turn to illicit products. According to an Ifop study for Zeweed and the Professional Hemp Union in January 2022, 43% of 18-24 year olds had already purchased CBD flowers, compared to 18% for all French people. The arrival of new players in supermarkets, in cosmetics, drinks and herbal teas could further increase the CBD phenomenon: natural products to combat stress and anxiety have the potential to appeal to a very large clientele.
