Revised cannabis regulations could potentially pose risks
The Cannabis Act (CanG) enacted in April 2024 marked a significant shift in the regulation of medical cannabis in Germany, reclassifying cannabis as a non-narcotic substance and removing many bureaucratic hurdles, leading to increased patient access, prescriptions, and market growth. However, by mid-2025, proposed amendments aim to introduce stricter controls.
Initially, the CanG fostered Europe’s most open medical cannabis ecosystem, with over 20 telemedicine clinics, a growing import and distribution network, and cheaper cannabis products, dramatically increasing patient access across Germany. The new draft amendments, however, threaten this progress by potentially rolling back patient access, reducing convenience, and complicating the supply chain.
One of the key changes proposed is the requirement for personal doctor-patient contact for cannabis flower prescriptions. This means that patients must see a doctor in person or via a home visit, and for repeat prescriptions, patients must see a doctor personally at least once every four months. This reverses some of the initial liberalization that allowed telemedicine prescribing.
Another significant change is the ban on mail-order delivery or shipping of cannabis flowers to patients. This move aims to curb abuse linked to remote prescribing and distribution.
Despite these new restrictions, reimbursement by statutory health insurance remains reserved for severely ill patients, such as those with chronic illnesses, cancer, or multiple sclerosis. The CanG's initial classification change and reduced administrative burdens led to a dramatic increase in patient numbers—growing from an estimated 200,000-300,000 prior to the law to possibly 1 million in 2025—but reimbursement eligibility is still limited to severe cases.
The classic care system must be involved to maintain the structure of medical care during the cannabis reform. Medical cannabis remains a prescription-only medicine, and the supply of medical cannabis is through pharmacies, which can dispense dried flowers, extracts, or finished medicines.
Digital providers like CanDoc can play a central role in stabilizing and further developing medical care during the cannabis reform. CanDoc provides low-threshold and legally secure access to cannabis therapy through digital consultations and direct delivery. Medical cannabis medicines are no longer subject to the Narcotics Act and can now be prescribed on regular statutory or private prescriptions.
The increase in cannabis products on the market could lead to uncertainty for patients due to a lack of pharmaceutical standards. The new legal situation could lead to misunderstandings in the professional or private environment if medical cannabis use is stigmatized. The societal legalization of cannabis could lead to the risk of medical users being equated with recreational users. The reform should ensure reliable legal framework conditions for medical cannabis use and offer more freedom for consumers and more security for patients, not just more freedom for consumers.
[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_bgbl/2024/038/bgi_2024038-1001.pdf [2] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_bgbl/2024/038/bgi_2024038-1002.pdf [3] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_bgbl/2024/038/bgi_2024038-1003.pdf [4] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_bgbl/2025/024/bgi_2025024-1001.pdf
- What if these new amendments for cannabis regulation in Germany lead to reduced access for mental health patients seeking supplements like CBD in their health-and-wellness journey, given that telemedicine prescribing and mail-order delivery are on the verge of being banned?
- While science continues to explore the benefits of cannabis on health, the increased demand for nutrition-rich supplements and cannabis-based products in the health-and-wellness industry might create confusion, considering the disparity in pharmaceutical standards between traditional medicines and the newly liberalized medical cannabis market.
- With the increase in consumer freedom as a result of the Cannabis Act, there is a need to ensure that patients have access to reliable, convenient, and legal means of obtaining CBD supplements and other health-and-wellness products related to mental health and science, such as through digital telemedicine services like CanDoc.
