🇩🇪 Germany Sharpens Telemedicine Oversight While Cannabis Industry Expands
🏛️ Germany plans stricter cannabis telemedicine regulations, requiring in-person doctor visits and banning mail-order pharmacies, a move that risks driving users to the illegal market. The Federal Ministry of Health aims to tighten regulations on medical cannabis to limit online prescriptions and delivery services: Minister Nina Warken proposes banning both online prescriptions and shipping of medical cannabis to better control sales and ensure direct doctor-patient interaction, potentially negatively impacting patients while failing to address the underlying causes of current issues.
- Proposed cannabis regulations threaten online platforms, risking patient access and potentially increasing illegal market activity, prompting industry backlash.
- Concerns raised about the complexity of cannabis distribution and the need for more licensed clubs to combat illegal markets. Optimism remains for future cannabis model projects and potential for medical cannabis to become over-the-counter in Germany.
- The CanG evaluation is being expanded, with the first report expected in early October. This planned interim report will examine the law's impact on multiple areas, including health and youth protection, as well as road traffic safety.
- Pharmacies can be prosecuted if they supply cannabis prescriptions issued via platforms without proper verification, according to a legal report commissioned by the Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies (VCA).
- Health insurance companies will stop reimbursing cannabis flowers, citing concerns over increased use and associated health risks.
- ABDA supports price controls on medicinal cannabis; concerns over potential exclusion from reimbursement by health insurance companies.
- KKH's claim of increased cannabis addiction post-decriminalization lacks evidence; rising diagnoses may reflect better reporting, not actual addiction increase.
- Legal opinion confirms approval of scientific cannabis pilot projects in Germany under current law, supporting health and market displacement insights.
- BDCan advocates for balanced cannabis regulations ensuring patient care, preventing abuse, and maintaining access to medical cannabis products.
💼 Imports of medical cannabis totalled 43.3 tonnes in the second quarter, a 6% increase versus the previous record in the first quarter: over 160 tonnes could be imported in 2025. Following legalisation medical cannabis extract prescriptions increased 33% in Q1 2025. The number of cannabis pharmacies increase fivefold within a year; as prices drop, market competition intensifies, and regulatory stability is crucial for patient care.