For several years, CBD shops have flourished throughout France and Sarthe. The tobacconists of Sarth, meeting in general assembly this Sunday, November 7 in Saint-Saturnin, also wish to get into this business. So far in a legal vagueness, this product should be framed by a decree by the beginning of next year.
In the meantime, the instruction is given not to touch it, because the slightest criminal conviction for a tobacconist means the loss of their management contract, and therefore the possibility of selling tobacco. “At the end of the year, we should be released, know what we can sell and that others are already selling“, specifies Philippe, tobacconist in Savigné-l’Evêque.
Flowers and leaves prohibited
The government wants to ban the sale of CBD flowers and leaves, but allow derivative products like CBD oil or food products. “There is a demand, it’s a business, plus the margins are consistent “, explains Maurice, based in Allonnes. “It is part of our diversification approach, it is additional turnover.“
But not all professionals are so enthusiastic, some do not want to get into this business out of principle or because “din a small rural town, it won’t work. “For the president of the federation of tobacconists in Sarthe, Laurence Proust, it is precisely up to tobacconists to sell this far from harmless product:”it is a product which is dangerous for health, like tobacco, and which must be subject to regulation and sold by a network which can market it while respecting the standards.“