The European Commission recently endorsed the decision excluding CBD products from the narcotics category, resolving confusion. Early signs of the anticipated boom appeared in France, where CBD shops were increasing rapidly.
According to Le Monde, shop numbers rose from 30 to 300 during the year described, with entrepreneurs competing to open stores. Estate agents reported growing demand in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Lyon.
Kevin Uzan of Paris commercial agency Commerce Immo told Le Monde they received 10–15 calls daily from CBD entrepreneurs seeking premises, particularly in upscale districts including République, Bastille, le Marais, Saint-Germain and Saint-Michel.
Background to the growth
The developments followed the Commission's decision the previous month that CBD was not a narcotic. The European Union's judicial ruling said CBD could not be treated as a narcotic and should enjoy the same free movement between member states as other lawful goods.
Many producers continued selling in some EU countries despite legal uncertainty. But when France prohibited hemp production and flower processing in 2018 as described in the original report, businesses declined quickly.
A €1 billion market
Aurélien Delecroix, president of Le Syndicat professionnel du chanvre (SPC), said the French market could rapidly reach €1 billion. The group includes growers, processors, distributors and entrepreneurs. With around 90 members, it was founded in June 2018 to advocate for hemp flowers after the ban that year.
A manifesto published earlier in the year promoted lifting restrictions on flowers, using hemp seed as a natural food and expanding fiber use in construction and textiles.
Despite legal challenges, France was by far Europe's largest hemp producer.
