Most cannabis users in France buy from dealers or friends, but the factors driving supply methods differ between teens and adults
Two French national surveys found that about 60-68% of cannabis users purchased from friends, relatives, or dealers, with problematic use and being male associated with buying or growing rather than receiving cannabis for free.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among both 17-year-olds (n=2,943) and adults (n=1,221), buying from friends, relatives, or dealers was the most common supply method (60% and 68% respectively). Being male and having problematic cannabis use were associated with buying or cultivating. Among teens, being an apprentice and earning money predicted cultivation, while depression predicted buying. Among adults, the 26-34 age group was associated with both buying and growing.
Key Numbers
2,943 seventeen-year-olds; 1,221 adults; 60% of teens and 68% of adults bought cannabis; 33% and 24% obtained it free; 5% and 8% cultivated; multinomial logistic regression with weighted data
How They Did This
Analysis of two French national cross-sectional surveys from 2017: ESCAPAD (representative of 17-year-olds) and Health Barometer Survey (representative of ages 18-64). Data were weighted for representativeness with multivariate multinomial logistic regression.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding how people obtain cannabis in countries where it remains illegal provides insight for public health policy and identifies vulnerable populations within supply networks.
The Bigger Picture
This study provides a snapshot of illegal cannabis supply in a prohibitionist country. As France debates cannabis policy reform, understanding existing supply patterns helps inform what legalization might change.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional data from 2017 may not reflect current patterns. Self-reported illegal behavior subject to underreporting. French cannabis market may not generalize to other countries. Does not capture online purchasing.
Questions This Raises
- ?Have supply methods changed since 2017 with the rise of online markets?
- ?Does the method of obtaining cannabis affect use patterns or health outcomes?
- ?Would legalization shift the demographics of who grows cannabis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 60-68% of French cannabis users buy from friends, relatives, or dealers
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: two large nationally representative surveys with appropriate statistical methods, but cross-sectional design and self-reported illegal activity.
- Study Age:
- 2026 publication analyzing 2017 French survey data.
- Original Title:
- Factors associated with different cannabis supply methods: results from the French 2017 ESCAPAD and Health Barometer surveys.
- Published In:
- Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 19 (2026)
- Authors:
- Wallez, Solène(2), Eren, Filiz(3), Lahaie, Emmanuel, Spilka, Stanislas, Rezag Bara, Selma F, Bayle, Gauthier, Redonnet, Bertrand, Nguyen-Thanh, Viet, Cadwallader, Jean-Sébastien, Mary-Krause, Murielle
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08697
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How do most people in France get cannabis?
About 60-68% buy it from friends, relatives, or dealers. Around a quarter to a third receive it for free, and 5-8% grow their own.
What predicts who buys versus gets cannabis for free?
Being male and having problematic cannabis use patterns were linked to buying or growing among both teens and adults. For teens, earning money and depression also predicted purchasing.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08697APA
Wallez, Solène; Eren, Filiz; Lahaie, Emmanuel; Spilka, Stanislas; Rezag Bara, Selma F; Bayle, Gauthier; Redonnet, Bertrand; Nguyen-Thanh, Viet; Cadwallader, Jean-Sébastien; Mary-Krause, Murielle. (2026). Factors associated with different cannabis supply methods: results from the French 2017 ESCAPAD and Health Barometer surveys.. Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00372-x
MLA
Wallez, Solène, et al. "Factors associated with different cannabis supply methods: results from the French 2017 ESCAPAD and Health Barometer surveys.." Journal of cannabis research, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00372-x
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Factors associated with different cannabis supply methods: r..." RTHC-08697. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wallez-2026-factors-associated-with-different
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.