Sharp increase in medical cannabis imports

The import of cannabis to Germany for medical and scientific purposes has increased dramatically over the course of 2024: The volume rose from 8.1 tons in the first quarter of the year to 11.6 tons in the second and 20.7 tons in the third to 31.7 tons in the fourth quarter. This was reported by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). This means that the import volume in the fourth quarter almost quadrupled compared to the first quarter.

In total, more than 72 tons of dried cannabis flowers were imported for medical and scientific purposes in 2024. For comparison: In Germany itself, around 2.6 tons were produced for these purposes during the period, the BfArM said upon request. This annual quantity was set a few years ago through a tendering procedure for a period of four years, it said.

According to the BfArM, the majority of the cannabis imported for medical and scientific purposes, at more than 33 tonnes, came from Canada, followed by Portugal with a good 17 tonnes. This was followed by Denmark (7.4 tonnes), North Macedonia (2.7 tonnes) and Spain (2.2 tonnes).

The BfArM did not give any reasons for the sharp increase. Since April last year, non-medical cannabis consumption has been legal for adults in Germany, with numerous restrictions. Growing up to three plants in private homes is permitted, and up to 50 grams of cannabis can be stored. In addition, non-commercial "cultivation associations" with a license are permitted to grow cannabis together.

Markus Beier, Federal Chairman of the Association of General Practitioners, points to online providers in view of the increased imports. "Given the sharp increase in the volume of imports, it can be assumed that the majority of these were not prescribed by general practitioners for medical purposes within the framework of statutory health insurance, but by online providers, some of whom aggressively advertise the simple prescription of medicinal cannabis on private prescriptions as a private medical service," he told the German Press Agency.

From a professional point of view, only a relatively narrow group of people are eligible to prescribe medicinal cannabis, including patients with multiple sclerosis and those in palliative care, said Beier.

It is right and sensible that the supply of medicinal cannabis by general practitioners for the clearly defined group for whom there is a medical indication has been made less bureaucratic in the past, added Beier. "For example, the health insurance companies' requirement for approval for prescriptions by doctors of certain specialties has been removed." This makes sense, because it has unnecessarily made the care of the affected patients for whom there is actually a medical indication more difficult.