PGP Farmer, a French biotechnology firm, has successfully identified five elite cannabis cultivars for future medical cannabis production within France. This significant step, announced on September 16, 2026, follows an intensive phenotyping trial conducted in the Netherlands and positions the company to begin cultivation at its upcoming 9-hectare facility in Dordogne as France progresses towards the full regulatory rollout of its medical cannabis program.
Laying the Agronomic Groundwork for French Medical Cannabis
The selection of these five superior cannabis strains marks a crucial milestone for PGP Farmer, which is establishing France’s first EU-Good Manufacturing Practice (EU-GMP) compliant medical cannabis production site. The rigorous proof-of-concept trial was undertaken in the Netherlands in collaboration with Innexo B.V., an applied research platform. This initial phase commenced with 2,400 seeds, from which 1,440 transplanted plants were meticulously screened over several months.
The evaluation focused on critical indicators for pharmaceutical-grade cannabis, including plant vigour, overall yield, and various quality attributes. From an initial library of 30 distinct genotypes, only five were deemed exceptional enough to advance. These selected cultivars will now proceed to Phase 2 of development, during which PGP Farmer will establish the precise standard operating procedures essential for cultivation at its large-scale Dordogne facility. This strategic groundwork aims to ensure consistent, high-quality output for French patients.
France’s Regulatory Path Towards Commercial Medical Cannabis
This agronomic advancement by PGP Farmer coincides with France’s final preparations for a comprehensive medical cannabis market rollout. Paris is nearing the publication of several key decrees that will activate the regulatory framework. These decrees are expected to trigger the reopening of the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (ANSM) dossier window, allowing companies to submit applications, and resume the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) reimbursement evaluation process. These are the final administrative hurdles before commercial supply chains for medical cannabis can be established across the country.
The French government confirmed to the Senate on June 30 that the decree pertaining to the reimbursement of cannabis-based medicines had been submitted to the Conseil d’État, with its review commencing after the summer parliamentary recess. The anticipated publication of this reimbursement decree, along with a general authorisation decree and ministerial orders specifying cultivation conditions and product standards, is expected in the coming weeks. PGP Farmer has actively contributed to the joint HAS dossier, a collaborative effort coordinated by the industry body UIVEC, which includes input from approximately a dozen French and international operators.
Reducing Europe’s Reliance on Non-EU Cannabis Imports
PGP Farmer, supported by a €3 million funding round secured in February, positions itself as the sole French operator focused on producing raw pharmaceutical materials (MPUP) for medical cannabis. The Dordogne site is engineered for significant capacity, projected to reach an annual output of 30 tonnes once fully operational. This ambitious scale is designed to reduce France’s, and more broadly Europe’s, substantial dependence on medical cannabis imports from outside the European Union.
Currently, approximately 75% of medical cannabis flower supplied within the EU originates from non-EU countries. For instance, Germany, a major European medical cannabis market, imported nearly 200 tonnes in 2025 alone. PGP Farmer’s mission underscores a broader European objective to foster domestic cultivation and processing capabilities, enhancing supply chain security and ensuring consistent product availability for patients across the continent. This move towards self-sufficiency is a critical aspect of developing mature medical cannabis markets.
The Rigour of Elite Cultivar Selection for Pharmaceutical Standards
The process of selecting these five elite varieties was exceptionally stringent, driven by the demanding requirements of pharmaceutical-grade production and adherence to EU-GMP standards. Dr. Frédéric Lota, Chief Scientific Officer at PGP Farmer and leader of the trial, emphasized this dedication to quality:
“Selecting five elite varieties from the 30 subjected to this POC required absolute rigour, based on criteria of excellence.” — Dr. Frédéric Lota, Chief Scientific Officer at PGP Farmer, as quoted by Business of Cannabis.
The next phase will involve refining the design of the Dordogne pharmaceutical site around these selected cultivars, ensuring that all aspects of cultivation and processing meet the highest quality benchmarks. This meticulous approach is vital for guaranteeing that patients receive medical cannabis products of “irreproachable quality” that strictly comply with EU-GMP regulations. The focus on specific genotypes allows for optimization of growing conditions, nutrient regimes, and harvesting protocols to maximize desired cannabinoid and terpene profiles while minimizing contaminants.
The selection process goes beyond mere yield, delving into the genetic stability and consistency of the plants, which are paramount for pharmaceutical applications. Factors such as disease resistance, growth habit, and cannabinoid biosynthesis pathways are carefully considered to ensure that the chosen cultivars perform reliably under controlled cultivation environments, similar to the considerations seen in other European medical cannabis cultivation operations.
The Future Vision for French-Produced Medical Cannabis
The impending generalisation of medical cannabis in France represents the culmination of several years of anticipation and delays. Brahim Sebart, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of PGP Farmer, articulated the company’s vision:
“The generalisation of medical cannabis is finally arriving in France, after several years of waiting and delays. What is still needed is for French companies to be able to produce on our territory. Our mission is to guarantee France a 100% French pharmaceutical raw material, at the service of patients.”
This commitment to “100% French pharmaceutical raw material” highlights a strategic national interest in establishing a robust domestic supply chain. It aims to secure access to medical cannabis for patients while simultaneously fostering economic growth and innovation within France’s emerging cannabis sector. The development of local production capabilities is a common goal for many nations legalising medical cannabis, seeking to control quality, ensure availability, and capture economic benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PGP Farmer's role in French medical cannabis?
PGP Farmer is a French biotech firm establishing the country's first EU-GMP medical cannabis production site, aiming to supply 100% French pharmaceutical raw materials.
How many cannabis strains did PGP Farmer select?
PGP Farmer selected five elite cannabis cultivars from an initial pool of 30 genotypes after a rigorous phenotyping trial.
Where was the strain selection trial conducted?
The phenotyping trial for strain selection was conducted in the Netherlands, in partnership with applied research platform Innexo B.V.
What is the projected annual capacity of PGP Farmer's facility?
PGP Farmer's Dordogne facility is designed to achieve an annual production capacity of 30 tonnes of medical cannabis when fully operational.
When is France's medical cannabis market expected to roll out?
France is nearing the publication of key decrees that will trigger the full regulatory and commercial rollout of its medical cannabis market in the coming weeks.
Why is domestic production important for France?
Domestic production aims to reduce France's and Europe's dependence on non-EU medical cannabis imports, ensuring a secure and high-quality local supply for patients.
