Adulterated CBD causing headaches for French health authorities

French health authorities are facing growing challenges as reports surge of “bad trips” linked to adulterated CBD products sold in about 2,000 shops and online.

Hundreds of intoxication cases have been recorded since early 2024, with lab tests revealing synthetic cannabinoids mixed into some products. These artificial substances can be up to 100 times stronger than natural CBD, triggering severe symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, and anxiety attacks.

Officials warn that teenagers and young adults are most at risk, as the products are cheap and easily available. Experts suspect criminal networks, including Mexican cartels, are behind the spread of these synthetic drugs in Europe. French laboratories are now detecting around ten new synthetic molecules each year. Health officials have launched a prevention campaign, while some suggest that regulated THC legalization could curb the spread of unsafe synthetic products.