German patient representatives demand medical cannabis legal certainty

Patient representatives within the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) are calling for legal certainty regarding the supply of medical cannabis in Germany. Following the implementation of the GKV Contribution Stabilization Act, cannabis flowers will be removed from the statutory health insurance benefit catalog on July 30, 2026.

Representatives warn that the lack of transitional arrangements for ongoing therapies could lead to treatment interruptions for seriously ill patients. Dr. Cornelia Sander, a patient representative in the G-BA, stated that for patients with established therapies, the loss of reimbursement must not result in the discontinuation of treatment.

There are concerns regarding the shift from vaporizable medical cannabis to inhalable extracts, as differing interpretations by health insurance providers have already led to inconsistent coverage and denials. Additionally, the requirements for the legally mandated six-month trial period with cannabis-containing finished medicinal products remain unresolved.