german Cabinet to Tighten Medical Cannabis Access Amid Surge in Imports
Berlin – The German federal cabinet has decided to amend both the Medical Cannabis Act and police law, alongside ongoing hospital reforms, responding to a more than 400 percent increase in medical cannabis imports during the first half of 2025. The changes aim to restrict availability and address concerns that the current regulations are being exploited, while simultaneously bolstering law enforcement capabilities and modernizing hospital infrastructure.
The decision to revise the Medical Cannabis Act stems from observations of a critically important rise in cannabis flower consumption for medical purposes as the law’s implementation in April 2024. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, imports jumped from approximately 19 tons to around 80 tons between the first halves of 2024 and 2025. Officials assert this increase does not correlate with a comparable rise in medical need, as claims to statutory health insurance only increased by a single-digit percentage.The proposed amendments will reinstate requirements for in-person doctor consultations for prescriptions and prohibit the direct shipment of cannabis products to patients.
Alongside the cannabis regulations, the cabinet is also moving forward with changes to the police law and a complete hospital reform plan. Details regarding the police law amendments where not promptly available, but are expected to address evolving security challenges. The hospital reform, a long-debated initiative, seeks to improve efficiency, modernize facilities, and ensure equitable access to healthcare across Germany. These reforms are critical as Germany faces demographic shifts and increasing demands on its healthcare system.
The amendments to the medical Cannabis Act are expected to be debated in parliament in the coming weeks. the government anticipates the changes will curb misuse of the system and ensure medical cannabis is accessible only to those with genuine medical needs.