CBD and derivatives in the workplace: are they legal in France?

CBD consumption in France has risen steadily in recent years. According to Santé Publique France, by 2023, 1 in 10 French people said they had consumed CBD, if only to try it. 1.

CBD is a wellness product whose first use is to regulate stress, and work is one of the leading causes of stress in France. According to HR solutions leader ADP, " 64% of French employees experience stress at work at least once a week". 2.

So is consuming CBD to regulate stress at work legal and a viable solution?

CBD at work and legality

As far as French legislation on CBD is concerned, there's nothing to stop you using it in the workplace, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.

However, just because it's legal doesn't necessarily mean it's accepted by your company. To find out if you're allowed to consume CBD in your workplace in France, you'll need to refer to your company's internal regulations.

If the regulations do not explicitly mention this, we advise you to ask the human resources department directly, so as not to inadvertently go against your company's policy.

What's more, if your company or the field in which you're employed practices strict drug regulations, with regular drug testing, you'll need to be particularly careful. CBD may contain traces of THC, which could be detected by tests such as roadside checks.

CBD at work: any benefits?

With the growing popularity of CBD, numerous studies have been launched to determine with certainty the action of CBD on the body. We can now say, with evidence to back it up, that CBD possesses several virtues that could be beneficial in the professional environment.

CBD against stress, anxiety and depression

A 2019 study, published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, set out to verify the anxiolytic action of CBD on volunteers placed under stress. The study concluded that "pretreatment with 300 mg CBD significantly reduced anxiety [in participants] compared with placebo". 3.

Another 2016 study at the University of Colorado launched clinical trials to determine whether CBD oil could substitute for imipramine, an active substance used as an antidepressant. The study proved conclusive. It determined an equivalent action to the antidepressant, with the difference that no side effects were observed. 4.

And finally, another preliminary study, conducted in Australia, tested the effect of CBD on anxiety attacks in teenagers. Here again, the results were conclusive: on average, "participants reported that their anxiety attacks were 42.6% less severe." 5.

These studies therefore show that CBD could help you cope with stressful situations, as well as reducing anxiety states and the anxiety attacks that can ensue. This could help employees suffering from stress at work.

For chronic pain

CBD's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties could also have a beneficial effect on people who are physically active at work, or who suffer from pain associated with sitting or static positions.

Here again, several studies have been carried out on the subject, including one in 2020. The aim of this study was to establish a rationalized approach to the use of CBD in the treatment of chronic pain that is intractable with conventional therapies. It concluded that CBD, when properly administered, can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients, as well as improving their quality of life. 6.

Other studies have also demonstrated thepositive effect of CBD against migraines, sciatic pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis, and many other afflictions that can result from professional activity.

Against insomnia

Strictly speaking, work aside, there are also several studies indicating that CBD can also help you find sleep and sleep better. As a result, CBD could also have a positive effect on employees suffering from loss of productivity due to lack of sleep.

precautions and contraindications

While all these studies seem promising, it's important to qualify these conclusions. The interaction between cannabinoids and endocannabinoid receptors is not yet fully understood. The effects vary from one person to another, depending on body chemistry and certain environmental and psychological factors. The effects of CBD can therefore vary from one person to another, and be more or less effective. It's important to be cautious when talking about the benefits of CBD consumption.

And you need to be very careful if you're already on medication. As CBD is an active substance, it can cause drug interaction, skewing the effects of other medications. If you are undergoing treatment, consult your doctor before taking CBD.

Using CBD at work: in what form?

You are probably aware that there are many different ways to consume CBD: oil, candy, capsule, infusion, puff...

Smoking CBD is not recommended, as the smoke could be hazardous to the lungs. On the other hand, if you want to "smoke" it, it's more advisable to use a vaporizer, puff or e-liquid. If you're worried that the smell of vapour will be frowned upon by your colleagues or superiors, we recommendCBD oil by sublingual administration, or candy or another CBD-containing food for discreet use.

What about CBD derivatives at work?

When it comes to neo-cannabinoids and their use in a professional environment, it's more difficult to have a generalized opinion, as the effects differ from one derivative to another. Some, like THCP or HHCPO, could have a negative impact on your concentration due to their psychoactive action.

H3CBN and H4CBD, on the other hand, have little or no psychoactive action, so they seem more appropriate. But in any case, it's important to bear in mind that no study has yet produced any results on the interaction of these molecules with stress. It therefore seems safer to stick to CBD in the workplace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the studies available today show that if you suffer from stress or chronic pain due to your professional activity, CBD could really enable a marked improvement in your quality of life at work and outside.

Nonetheless, it's highly advisable to have theauthorization of your hierarchy, so that CBD consumption doesn't penalize you instead of helping you.

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If this article has helped you, don't hesitate to consult our blog dedicated to CBD to find lots of other useful information on the subject!