Germany Proposes New Cannabis Prescription Rules Amid Boom
The German Health Ministry has proposed new restrictions on medical cannabis prescriptions, citing a surge in imports and limited medical oversight. The draft bill, set for cabinet review this week, could impact patients and the telemedicine industry.
Germany's medical cannabis market, the largest in Europe, is booming. With over 338,000 patients and projected sales of €1 billion by 2028, the market is expected to reach 43,000 kg in imports alone in Q2 2025. However, the Health Ministry has expressed concerns about the rapid growth. Only 13% of patients requesting cannabis received a prescription, indicating a need for telemedicine services.
The proposed bill would require in-person doctor visits for cannabis flowers and pharmacy pick-up, disrupting current telemedicine practices. More than two-thirds of doctors prescribed a different drug instead of cannabis, with over half of those alternatives being opioids. The ministry justifies these restrictions due to the significant rise in imports and limited medical oversight.
The proposed changes could have severe economic consequences for Germany's medical cannabis market. The bill, scheduled for cabinet review this week, could affect patients, especially those with limited access, and impact the broader medical cannabis industry. Despite these proposed restrictions, investments in the sector continue, with a German family office investing 10 million euros in German Cannabis Standard (GCS) in 2025, the largest cannabis investment in Europe.
