An overview of the cannabis industry in Germany.

April 2023

The cannabis industry in Germany has been growing steadily over the past few years, with the country becoming one of the largest markets for medical cannabis in Europe. This growth has been driven by a combination of changing attitudes towards cannabis, as well as changes in legislation that have made it easier for patients to access medical cannabis. In this review, we will provide an overview of the cannabis industry and legislation in Germany, including the current state of the medical cannabis market, the legal framework governing cannabis in Germany, and the potential for future growth in the industry.

Current state of the medical cannabis market in Germany

Germany's medical cannabis market has grown rapidly in recent years, with the country becoming the largest importer of medical cannabis in the world. In 2020, Germany imported over 11,000 kilograms of medical cannabis, an increase of over 50% compared to the previous year. The market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand from patients and a growing number of licensed producers.

The use of medical cannabis in Germany is legal under certain conditions. Patients must have a prescription from a doctor and must be suffering from a serious illness such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, or chronic pain. The cannabis must also be obtained from a licensed pharmacy and must be of pharmaceutical quality.

Currently, there are three licensed producers of medical cannabis in Germany: Aurora, Canopy Growth, and Demecan. These companies are responsible for growing and distributing medical cannabis to patients across the country. However, there are also a number of international companies that supply medical cannabis to Germany, including Bedrocan and Tilray.

In addition to medical cannabis, there is also a small market for recreational cannabis in Germany. Possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use has been decriminalized since 1994, although the sale and distribution of cannabis remains illegal. However, there is growing support for the legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany, with some politicians and activists arguing that it could generate significant tax revenue and reduce the burden on law enforcement.

Legal framework governing cannabis in Germany

Cannabis is regulated under the German Narcotics Act, which classifies cannabis as a controlled substance. The Act prohibits the possession, sale, and distribution of cannabis, although there are some exceptions for medical and scientific use. The Act also establishes penalties for violations, ranging from fines to imprisonment.

The legal framework for medical cannabis in Germany is more permissive. In 2017, the German parliament passed a law allowing patients with serious illnesses to access medical cannabis. Under the law, patients can obtain a prescription for medical cannabis from their doctor, and the cost is covered by public health insurance. The law also established a framework for licensing producers of medical cannabis, with strict regulations governing the quality and safety of the cannabis.

One of the key features of the German medical cannabis market is the role of pharmacies. All medical cannabis must be obtained from a licensed pharmacy, which acts as a gatekeeper for the distribution of the drug. This has led to some criticism from patients and advocates, who argue that the limited number of pharmacies licensed to dispense medical cannabis has created a bottleneck that limits access to the drug.

The potential for future growth in the cannabis industry in Germany

Despite the rapid growth of the medical cannabis market in Germany, there is still significant potential for further expansion of the industry. One area of growth is in the cultivation and production of medical cannabis within Germany. Currently, all licensed producers of medical cannabis in Germany import the cannabis from other countries. However, there is growing interest in developing a domestic cannabis industry, which could create jobs and reduce reliance on imports.

Another area of potential growth is in the legalization of recreational cannabis. While there is still significant opposition to the idea, there is also growing support from politicians, activists, and some members of the

The cannabis industry in Germany has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the legalization of medical marijuana and the potential for future legalization of recreational use. In this review, I will provide an overview of the current state of the cannabis industry in Germany, including the legislative framework, market size, and major players. I will also discuss the challenges facing the industry, including regulatory hurdles and supply chain issues.

Legislative Framework

The use of cannabis in Germany is primarily governed by the Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BtMG), which classifies cannabis as a prohibited substance. However, in 2017, the German parliament passed a law allowing for the prescription of medical cannabis to patients with certain conditions, such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Under this law, patients can obtain medical cannabis from pharmacies with a prescription from their doctor.

Since the passage of the medical cannabis law, the number of patients receiving medical cannabis has increased significantly. According to data from the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), the number of patients receiving medical cannabis increased from around 1,000 in 2017 to over 142,000 in 2021. In addition, the number of doctors authorized to prescribe medical cannabis has also increased, from around 1,000 in 2017 to over 9,000 in 2021.

While medical cannabis is legal in Germany, recreational use is still prohibited. However, there have been increasing calls for the legalization of recreational cannabis, particularly from political parties on the left. In 2021, the Green Party included the legalization of recreational cannabis in its election manifesto, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has also expressed support for legalization.

Market Size and Major Players

The legal cannabis market in Germany is still relatively small compared to other countries such as the United States and Canada. However, it is growing rapidly, with estimates suggesting that the market could be worth over 7 billion euros by 2028.

The German medical cannabis market is dominated by a small number of licensed producers, who are authorized to grow and distribute medical cannabis to pharmacies. These include companies such as Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth, and Tilray. In addition to these large producers, there are also a number of smaller companies and start-ups operating in the medical cannabis space in Germany.

In addition to medical cannabis, there is also a growing market for CBD (cannabidiol) products in Germany. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is believed to have a range of health benefits. While CBD products containing less than 0.2% THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) are legal in Germany, there is still some uncertainty around the legality of certain CBD products, particularly those derived from hemp.

Challenges Facing the Industry

Despite the growth potential of the cannabis industry in Germany, there are a number of challenges facing the industry, particularly in the medical cannabis space.

One major challenge is the regulatory framework surrounding medical cannabis. While medical cannabis is legal in Germany, there are still a number of bureaucratic hurdles that make it difficult for patients to access the drug. For example, patients are required to obtain a prescription from a specialist doctor, and pharmacies are required to obtain a special license to dispense medical cannabis. In addition, there is still a lack of clarity around the reimbursement of medical cannabis by health insurance companies, which can make it difficult for patients to afford the drug.

Another challenge facing the industry is the supply chain. While there are a small number of licensed producers in Germany, the majority of medical cannabis is still imported from other countries, such as Canada and the Netherlands. This can lead to supply chain issues, such as delays in delivery and difficulties in ensuring quality control.

There are also concerns around the quality of medical cannabis products in Germany. In 2019, a study by the German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest found that many medical cannabis products in Germany contained significantly lower levels of THC and CBD than advertised. This has raised questions about the accuracy of labeling and the consistency of the products being sold.

Another issue facing the cannabis industry in Germany is the potential for a black market to develop. While medical cannabis is legal, recreational cannabis is still prohibited, and there are concerns that the criminalization of recreational use will lead to a thriving black market. This could undermine the efforts to regulate and control the use of cannabis in Germany.

Conclusion

The cannabis industry in Germany is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to become a significant market in the coming years. The legalization of medical cannabis has led to a significant increase in the number of patients receiving the drug, and there is growing support for the legalization of recreational use.

However, there are still significant challenges facing the industry, particularly in the regulatory framework and supply chain. It will be important for policymakers to address these challenges in order to ensure that patients have access to high-quality medical cannabis products and to prevent the development of a black market.

Overall, the cannabis industry in Germany is still evolving, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the coming years. With the right policies and regulations in place, it has the potential to become a major market for cannabis products in Europe.