44% of Cannabis Purchases Occur in Pharmacies

Since the legalization of cannabis under strict regulations in Germany in April 2024, there has been a notable shift in how consumers obtain cannabis. The primary goal of this legislation was to reduce the black market and promote public health by regulating cannabis production. However, the effectiveness of these measures has been a topic of debate.

The opposition party has been vocal in its criticism, calling for the complete prohibition of recreational cannabis. As the coalition prepares to evaluate the impact of the cannabis law this fall, uncertainty remains regarding its future.

With the introduction of the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG), cannabis is no longer classified as a controlled substance. This change has led to the emergence of numerous online platforms that provide prescriptions for medical cannabis based on questionnaire responses. In response, the government intends to introduce new legislation to prohibit online prescriptions and the delivery of cannabis flowers.

A recent survey conducted by the Institute for Addiction Research (ISFF) in collaboration with the Evangelical University of Freiburg reveals significant changes in the cannabis market due to the new laws. The research team analyzed responses from nearly 11,500 participants, predominantly male (85.9%), with a median age of 37 years. A significant majority (96.5%) of respondents were German citizens. The survey targeted regular cannabis users, with 81% consuming cannabis at least weekly and 39% daily.

The findings indicate a decline in purchasing cannabis from dealers. In fact, 88% of respondents reported sourcing cannabis primarily from legal channels in the past six months, a marked increase from 24% before the law was enacted. Nonetheless, 36.1% of participants still accessed illegal sources during the same period.

Moreover, 62.3% of respondents indicated they had grown their own cannabis, while 43.7% sourced it from a pharmacy. Among those who purchased cannabis from pharmacies, 94% did not have a prescription covered by health insurance, with only 6% possessing such a prescription. Interestingly, 53.7% of all participants reported using cannabis for medical purposes.

According to Bernd Werse, the director of ISFF, the survey results suggest that the cannabis legislation has already made strides in diminishing the illegal market, especially among frequent users who are increasingly relying on legal sources for their cannabis supply.

The analysis also sheds light on consumption methods among participants, with joints mixed with tobacco being the most popular, closely followed by vaporizers. Notably, one in five respondents reported using synthetic cannabis products.