In many legal cannabis jurisdictions, the variety of product offerings is greater now than ever before, particularly for authorized medical cannabis patients. Registered pharmacies, dispensaries, and delivery services offer oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, drinks, sublingual sprays, topical creams, transdermal patches, and many other things.

However, despite the increase in the variety and availability of the multitude of cannabis product types, cannabis flower remains a very popular option for medical patients around the world. In Canada, the most developed national market on the planet, dried cannabis flower is responsible for 48% of total legal medical and non-medical cannabis sales. The next closest product type is cannabis extracts at 28%, followed by edibles at 24%.

In Germany, where authorized medical cannabis patients can be reimbursed by the nation’s statutory health insurance, medical cannabis flower is a popular choice among patients. Medical patients receiving reimbursement from the federal government for medical cannabis products is a glowing example of how Germany’s medical cannabis model is superior to the models of most other nations. Unfortunately, it is being proposed that reimbursements for medical cannabis flower be eliminated in Germany.

“The independent Finance Commission for Health, in its first report on stabilizing statutory health insurance contributions, has proposed, among other things, that statutory health insurance companies no longer reimburse medical cannabis flowers.” reported krautinvest in its local coverage (translated from German to English).

“The Finance Commission justifies its proposal on the one hand with a lack of scientific evidence and, on the other hand, inadequate standardization of the flowers due to natural variations in THC and CBD content. In contrast, the Commission argues that standardized cannabis-based finished medicinal products and extracts such as oils or tablets allow for precise dosing of the active ingredient and are subject to “a regular approval process with indication-specific benefit assessment.”” the outlet also reported.

No longer reimbursing medical cannabis flower purchases in Germany would be detrimental to the nation’s medical cannabis model. The best approach to a national medical cannabis program is to afford patients the most options possible, including proper access to cannabis flowers, to ensure that patients get the forms of medicine that work best for their situations.

Cannabis flower provides patients with several advantages compared to other forms of products. For starters, the effects of inhaling combusted or vaporized cannabis flower are felt faster compared to when patients use topicals or edibles. For patients who need quick relief, that is a very important benefit to consider.

The effects of inhaled cannabis smoke or vapor are easier for patients to gauge compared to, say, consuming edibles. If a patient doesn’t feel the effects at a level that they desire, they can inhale more cannabis until they get to where they want to be. Conversely, if they feel that they have consumed too much, they can back off, and the effects start to reduce (typically) within tens of minutes.

Comparatively, if a patient eats an edible or an extract-based product, it typically takes 45 to 90 minutes for the effects to be felt because it goes through the patient’s digestive system instead of their nervous system, and if the effects are too great, the patient has to endure them for hours until they subside.

Cannabis flower is the most versatile form of cannabis because it can be made into other forms. For some patients, using cannabis flower to make their own edibles, tinctures, or other products is preferred. Hindering safe access to cannabis flower by prohibiting reimbursements for it in Germany negatively impacts patients, while at the same time, it will boost the unregulated market as patients seek out other options.