Last verified: 22 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. For adults 18+.
Is weed legal in Paris? No. Using cannabis is a criminal offence (délit) in France. Police can hand you an on-the-spot fixed fine of €500, which drops to €400 if you pay within 15 days and rises to €1,000 after 45 days. Paying it ends the prosecution but still goes on your criminal record. Larger amounts or a prior record can send you to court instead (Service-Public).
The short version
- Cannabis is illegal in Paris and all of France. The maximum penalty for use is 1 year in prison and a €3,750 fine.
- The fixed fine is now €500, and it goes on your record (Service-Public).
- CBD products are legal if they contain no more than 0.3% THC (Conseil d'État).
- Driving after CBD can still be a crime if THC shows up in a test (Service-Public).
- Refusing a drug test can mean 2 years and €30,000.
Law vs. practice
French law makes illegal drug use a criminal offence under Article L3421-1 of the Public Health Code. In practice, for small amounts, police often use the amende forfaitaire délictuelle, a criminal fixed fine issued on the spot. Service-Public, the French government's official information site, sets out how it works (Service-Public):
- The fine is €500: €400 if you pay within 15 days, €1,000 if you haven't paid after 45 days.
- Paying ends the prosecution, but the offence is recorded on your criminal record.
- The fixed fine isn't used for large quantities, other drugs, or people with a prior record. In those cases you can be sent to court.
The fine went up in 2026. Press reports link the rise to a new security law passed in July 2026. We confirmed the €500 figure on the official Service-Public page, but the link to that law comes only from press reports.
There's no "tolerance zone" in Paris, no coffeeshops, and no rule that tourists get a pass.
Penalties
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Use (fixed fine) | €500 (€400 within 15 days; €1,000 after 45 days), recorded |
| Use (in court) | Up to 1 year + €3,750, plus possible extra penalties such as a driving-licence suspension or a mandatory awareness course |
| Refusing drug tests | Up to 2 years + €30,000 |
| Driving after drug use | Up to 3 years + €9,000; with alcohol too, up to 5 years + €15,000 |
Sources: Service-Public; Code de la route L235-1.
Drug-driving is proven by a blood or saliva test. On top of prison and fines, it can cost you a licence suspension or cancellation of up to 5 years, vehicle confiscation, and half your licence points (Légifrance).
Border & airport rules
- Cannabis: the UK government warns that penalties apply, including when you transit through airports, ports and Eurostar stations, and that transit baggage is scanned (FCDO).
- Bringing it from a country where it's legal (for example Germany) doesn't make it legal in France.
- CBD: products that comply with the THC limit are legal to sell in France. Keep them in the original packaging with the label.
- Prescription medicines containing controlled substances: carry your prescription and check the rules with your doctor before travelling.
Legal options
CBD is legal in France. In December 2022 the Conseil d'État, France's highest administrative court, annulled the ban on selling raw hemp flowers and leaves. It ruled that CBD is not a narcotic and that the ban was disproportionate. Products must stay at or below 0.3% THC (Conseil d'État).
But don't drive after CBD. In June 2023, France's highest criminal court, the Cour de cassation, confirmed that driving after use is an offence if a test detects THC, whatever the amount (Service-Public). Even legal CBD can contain enough THC to show up.
Culture & etiquette
Parisians are used to the smell of cannabis in some places, but that doesn't make it legal. Using cannabis anywhere in France is an offence, whether it's in a park, on a café terrace or on a hotel balcony. Carry ID, and be polite at police checks.
Scams to watch for
- Pickpocket teams work the Métro, RER lines and mainline stations. One distracts you while another goes into your bag (FCDO).
- Drink spiking: the FCDO warns about GHB and "liquid ecstasy". Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight.
- Street offers of cannabis are illegal and can be a setup for theft or worse. Walk away.
Harm reduction & if things go wrong
- Emergencies: 112 (EU emergency number).
- If police stop you, stay calm and show ID. You can ask for an interpreter and for your consulate to be told.
- If you're offered a fixed fine, understand that paying it creates a criminal record. If you have questions about your situation, ask for a lawyer.
- Don't drive after using cannabis or CBD.
- Watch your drink in bars and clubs.
Get the full Paris guide (coming soon)
Our full HighAbroad Paris Guide is in the works. It will include the complete penalties table, the 2026 changes, CBD rules in detail, and an "if you're stopped" checklist. Full guide coming soon: join the list →
HighAbroad provides general information only, not legal advice. We never say where or from whom to buy cannabis. Laws change; check official sources before you travel.