Home cultivation

Stage 1

The authorisation of home cultivation and the decriminalisation of small quantities of cannabis in public places represent a first step in the implementation of the pilot scheme for legal access to cannabis for non-medical purposes.

By opting to regulate the home cultivation of cannabis, the Government is aiming to control consumption and reduce the associated risks and harms. This decision is part of a proactive and constructive approach to public health that draws on a political commitment to strike a balance between prevention, risk reduction and tackling crime.

For further information, see the official flyer on the home cultivation of cannabis.

What is permitted and under what conditions?

The production, consumption, possession, sale and trafficking of drugs and other controlled substances are regulated and punishable under the amended Law of 19 February 1973 on the sale of medicinal substances and the fight against drug addiction.

The new national legislation authorising the home cultivation of cannabis is governed by the Law of 10 July 2023 updating the amended Law of 19 February 1973 on the sale of medicinal substances and the fight against drug addiction.

Applicable with effect from 21 July 2023, the new law permits the cultivation of a maximum of four cannabis plants per household, grown at the home or habitual place of residence of the adult concerned. Cultivation must be carried out exclusively from seed and solely by a person of legal age. Plants grown in this way must not be visible from the public highway.

Accordingly, any adult is authorised to consume cannabis grown at their home or usual place of residence.

What is not permitted?

Acquiring cannabis plants to grow them in your own home is not permitted. Cannabis plants grown in the home must be grown from seed.

A maximum of four cannabis plants is permitted.

It is not permitted to consume the cannabis in public or outside of the place where it is being grown. The public possession, transport and acquisition of cannabis are also prohibited, as is sharing the cannabis grown domestically with people from outside the household.

Consumption by minors continues to be prohibited. Consumption by adults in the presence of or with minors is prohibited.

A list of further prohibited behaviours and acts related to cannabis can be found in the Law of 10 July 2023 updating the amended Law of 19 February 1973 on the sale of medicinal substances and the fight against drug addiction.

Video

Culture domestique du cannabis

Information flyer

How is a 'household' defined?

A household is formed by all of the people who live in a shared home and have a shared budget.

Is driving under the influence of cannabis permitted?

No. Under the new law authorising home cultivation, no changes are planned regarding driving under the influence of drugs. Driving under the influence of cannabis is therefore not permitted; the legal limit set by the Highway Code is effectively zero tolerance. According to the Highway Code, sanctions in the form of imprisonment for a term of eight days to three years and/or a fine of EUR 500 to EUR 10,000 may be imposed on any driver of a vehicle, or any pedestrian involved in an accident, who is found to have THC at a serum level equal to or greater than 1ng/ml.

Where can I buy seeds?

Cannabis seeds for personal cultivation are no longer considered illegal drugs and can therefore be purchased in shops or online. There is no available list of retailers that sell seeds. Interested parties should contact shops directly.

Applicable sanctions in the event of a breach of the law

A downgrading of criminal penalties for small quantities of cannabis in public places is introduced, as well as a simplified criminal procedure for adults whose possession, transport and acquisition in public does not exceed three grams of cannabis.

In cases where the statutory provisions are not observed, the new law provides for the following penalties:

For public consumption or consumption outside the place at which the cannabis is grown, and for the possession, transport and acquisition of quantities of less than or equal to three grams, a warning fine of EUR 145 may be issued, or a criminal fine of between EUR 25 and EUR 500 may be imposed. These penalties do not apply to those persons who are consuming cannabis prescribed for medical reasons.
Above the threshold of three grams, prison sentences ranging from eight days to six months and/or fines ranging from EUR 251 to EUR 2,500 are possible.
The consumption of cannabis at the workplace, in schools or in the presence of or with minors is punishable by a prison sentence of between eight days and six months and/or a fine of between EUR 251 and EUR 2,500.
Consumption together with one or more minors may result in prison sentences of between six months and two years and/or a fine of between EUR 500 and EUR 25,000.
Failure to comply with the place of cultivation (namely at home or the usual place of residence) and possession of more than four cannabis plants per household may result in prison sentences of between eight days and five years and/or a fine of EUR 500 to EUR 250,000.

Last update 08.01.2026