French national survey finds 10% of adults use CBD, with most considering it harmless
In a nationally representative French survey, 10.1% of adults used CBD, 69.2% had heard of it, and less than half of those who knew about CBD considered it harmful, with users tending to be younger and to also use tobacco and cannabis.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
10.1% of French adults used CBD and 69.2% had heard of it. Less than half (46.8%) of those aware of CBD considered it harmful. CBD use was associated with younger age, tobacco use, cannabis use, poor self-reported health, and positive perception of alternative medicines. Four distinct CBD user profiles emerged from cluster analysis.
Key Numbers
1,969 adults surveyed; 10.1% used CBD; 69.2% had heard of it; 46.8% of aware adults considered it harmful. CBD use associated with tobacco use, cannabis use, younger age, and poor self-reported health.
How They Did This
Online survey of 1,969 French adults in December 2021, with a sample structure matching the French adult population for key demographics. Three regression analyses and hierarchical cluster analysis performed.
Why This Research Matters
As CBD products proliferate across Europe with inconsistent regulation, understanding who uses them and how they perceive them is essential for developing appropriate consumer protections.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that CBD users tend to have poor self-reported health and positive views of alternative medicine suggests CBD is being used as a self-medication strategy, often outside conventional healthcare frameworks.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Online survey may not reach all demographics. Self-reported CBD use not verified. CBD product contents not confirmed. Cross-sectional design. French-specific findings may not generalize to other EU countries.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are French CBD users getting products of consistent quality?
- ?Does the association with cannabis use suggest CBD is a gateway or a substitute?
- ?Would clearer regulation change use patterns or perceptions?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 10% of French adults use CBD; most consider it harmless
- Evidence Grade:
- Nationally structured survey with appropriate statistical methods, but online format and self-report are limitations.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 with survey data from December 2021.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol use and perceptions in France: a national survey.
- Published In:
- BMC public health, 22(1), 1628 (2022)
- Authors:
- Casanova, Clémence, Ramier, Clémence, Fortin, Davide(4), Carrieri, Patrizia, Mancini, Julien, Barré, Tangui
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03747
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is CBD in France?
About 10% of French adults reported using CBD, and nearly 70% had heard of it. This suggests CBD has achieved widespread awareness and significant adoption in France.
Who uses CBD in France?
CBD users tended to be younger, use tobacco and cannabis, report poorer general health, and have positive attitudes toward alternative medicines. Four distinct user profiles emerged, suggesting CBD appeals to different groups for different reasons.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03747APA
Casanova, Clémence; Ramier, Clémence; Fortin, Davide; Carrieri, Patrizia; Mancini, Julien; Barré, Tangui. (2022). Cannabidiol use and perceptions in France: a national survey.. BMC public health, 22(1), 1628. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14057-0
MLA
Casanova, Clémence, et al. "Cannabidiol use and perceptions in France: a national survey.." BMC public health, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14057-0
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol use and perceptions in France: a national survey..." RTHC-03747. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/casanova-2022-cannabidiol-use-and-perceptions
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.