Germany's Health Minister seeks stricter medical cannabis rules

German Health Minister Carsten Linnemann is calling for stricter regulations regarding the distribution of medical cannabis. Speaking at the German Pharmacists' Day in Munich, Linnemann noted that imports of medical cannabis flowers are projected to reach 300 tons this year, representing a tenfold increase within three years.

Linnemann criticized the current ease of obtaining cannabis via online platforms and telemedicine, stating that “consumption cannabis at the touch of a button via mail order no longer has anything to do with healthcare.” He expressed concerns that the current system facilitates abuse rather than legitimate medical treatment.

A government draft bill is currently before the Bundestag. The proposed legislation aims to restrict cannabis flower prescriptions to cases involving direct contact with a physician and would mandate that medical cannabis be dispensed through pharmacies rather than via online shipping. This follows reports of a relevant increase in hospital admissions related to cannabis-specific diagnoses, such as acute poisoning and psychosis, since the 2024 liberalization.