German Cannabis Advocates Push Back On Harmful Amendment
Germany’s medical cannabis community is resiliant, as demonstrated by swift and largely united pushback from medical cannabis advocates against a recently published draft amendment to the country’s Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG).
The changes are being proposed by Germany’s Ministry of Health despite the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine services. As drafted, the amendment would negatively impact safe access in Germany, and the nation’s most vulnerable medical cannabis patients would suffer as a result. The proposed changes contained within the draft amendment include:
- Mandatory in-person doctor consultations
- A ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
- Stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions
“Health Minister Warken sees mail-order sales and anonymous online prescriptions as a gateway for misuse, which is promoted by commercial platforms. However, the draft does not appear to have been agreed upon with the coalition partner, the SPD , yet . The industry is calling for differentiated solutions instead of blanket bans. Reputable providers are advocating for stricter standards in telemedicine, but against a complete ban on digital care. A mail-order ban would once again push patients onto the black market and overburden pharmacies and practices.” stated the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).
“Security of supply, for example through rare varieties or short-term availability, has so far been better ensured through digital processes. In light of the planned evaluation of the Cannabis Act in the fall, platforms and patient representatives are calling for a fact-based dialogue with politicians – otherwise, there is a risk of setbacks in patient care and the re-criminalization of many chronically ill people.” BvCW also wrote.
“Healthcare should never depend on your zip code or bank balance,” said David Barnan, Chief Marketing Officer at DoktorABC, in a press release. “We are watching with great concern as Germany moves toward a two-tier healthcare system. In major cities, those with money receive treatment, while patients in rural areas are left behind. The proposed restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of cannabis and mail-order sales of medicines would push tens of thousands of legitimate medical cannabis patients back to ineffective therapies—or, worse, into the unregulated market.”
“For many patients, a doctor’s visit can cost up to €100 out of pocket—and that doesn’t even include travel expenses, lost time from work, or the cost of caregivers,” Barnan also stated. “And most local pharmacies simply can’t stock the full range of cannabis flowers that doctors prescribe. Patients will be forced to travel from pharmacy to pharmacy just to find their medication. Smaller local stocks also keep prices high. Faced with rising costs and repeated supply shortages, many patients will forgo treatment—or turn to the black market, where there is no medical oversight.”
“Telemedicine is not a loophole—it’s a lifeline that lowers costs, expands access, and keeps patients in regulated care,” Barnan said.
“We call on legislators to protect digital consultation channels and ensure the shipping and delivery of legally prescribed medical cannabis from pharmacies. Where additional security measures are necessary, they should be specifically enhanced—but patients must not be cut off from effective, physician-assisted access.” states a petition started by DoktorABC on Change.org. As of the posting of this article, the petition has been signed by 17,289 people.
“Mail-order sales by German pharmacies should remain possible – especially with regard to chronically ill people who are limited in their mobility.” stated health politician Simone Borchardt (CDU), according to local reporting by Handelsblatt (translated from German to English). “If shipping from abroad is stopped while maintaining domestic shipping, we will strengthen the pharmacy landscape in Germany and improve care, especially in rural areas. A complete ban, however, goes too far.”
“For hundreds of thousands of people, medical cannabis is the only effective treatment. Nevertheless, due to concerns about abuse, centralized care channels such as telemedicine and mail-order delivery are being restricted – contrary to current healthcare practices and without consulting those affected.” states a separate petition launched by Grünhorn Group (translated from German to English). “A telemedicine ban would hurt the wrong people: the patients. The black market would profit.”
“Telemedicine access is to be severely limited, and the shipping of medical cannabis flowers by pharmacies is to be prohibited. This would likely result in at least halving the current market volume. This raises questions about the BMG’s motives.” pointed out krautinvest in a recent article.
“The high demand for online offerings is not the problem, but a symptom of a sick healthcare system that is failing to adequately fulfill its mandate. New hurdles do not lead to better standard care—instead, they lead to fewer options and longer journeys for those affected. A ban on flower shipping threatens conditions that are more restrictive than when cannabis was still a narcotic.” stated Stefan Konikowski, Board Member of Berliner Cannabis Hilfe eV (Berlin Cannabis Help Association).
“In the interest of patients, we demand that the market for medical cannabis, as well as related (tele)medical, pharmaceutical, and other care-related services, be sensibly regulated and controlled through existing laws. Particular consideration must be given to patient welfare, security of supply, and low-threshold access.” Stefan Konikowski also stated (translated from German to English).
