German Health Ministry Draft Sparks Patient Backlash Over Medical Cannabis Access

FRANKFURT – A recent survey by MedCanOneStop, a German medical Cannabis platform, has highlighted sharp concerns among patients about a proposed amendment from the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) that would limit digital services in Cannabis care.

The study, which polled 9,583 individuals, comes as the ministry weighs changes to tighten regulations on telemedicine and mail-order dispensing, following a surge in prescriptions after partial legalization in April 2024.

Released in June 2025, the draft calls for mandatory in-person doctor visits for Cannabis flower prescriptions and a ban on shipping such products. Proponents argue these steps address potential abuse in a market that saw imports climb to 43.3 metric tons in the second quarter of 2025, up 15% from the prior period, according to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, BfArM). Yet critics, including industry groups, contend the measures could reverse gains in patient safety and regulated supply.

In the MedCanOneStop survey, 92.6% of respondents expressed fears of recriminalization if digital access shrinks, while 59.2% said they would seek black market sources without telemedicine. Another 23.8% indicated they would grow their own Cannabis, and just 5.3% planned to visit local doctors. A striking 96.7% anticipated growth in the illegal market, with 82.8% expecting a massive expansion. Patients viewed the in-person mandate and shipping ban as barriers that could bolster unregulated channels over legal ones.

These findings align with a separate July 2025 report from Bloomwell Group, which surveyed 2,571 patients and found 41.7% would return to illicit sources if telemedicine ends. Bloomwell’s data also showed pharmacy Cannabis as cheaper for 47.5% of users compared to street options, underscoring how digital platforms have drawn people into supervised systems. “Low-threshold access keeps patients in the medically supervised system,” said Cedric Lehmann, CEO of MedCanOneStop, in a statement.

The proposal has drawn fire from stakeholders. The German Cannabis Business Association (Branchenverband Cannabiswirtschaft e.V., BvCW) submitted comments during the public consultation, which closed August 1, 2025, urging safeguards for legitimate users. The Social Democratic Party has stated it will not back the draft in its current form. Meanwhile, the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies warned of job losses and economic setbacks in a sector that has created opportunities amid rising demand.

Analysts point to broader risks: Rural patients and those with mobility issues may face hurdles, potentially overwhelming clinics short on Cannabis-prescribing specialists. Economically, a shift to the black market could erode tax revenues from a market projected to reach one million patients if current rules hold. Imports hit record highs in H1 2025, but oversupply concerns loom if demand falters under restrictions.

As the ministry reviews feedback ahead of an expected evaluation of the Cannabis Act this fall, the debate tests Germany’s balance between oversight and accessibility. For the Cannabis sector, these changes could stall momentum, forcing operators to adapt or risk ceding ground to informal networks, a reminder that policy tweaks carry real stakes for public health and business stability.