German Cabinet Approves Ban on Shipping Medical Cannabis

The German federal cabinet has introduced new measures restricting the distribution of medical cannabis. Under the revised Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG), the shipment of medical cannabis directly to patients will be prohibited. This legislative decision aims to ensure stricter control over the prescription and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes, responding to concerns about increasing misuse and insufficient patient oversight.

According to the new regulations, medical cannabis may only be prescribed after an in-person consultation between the patient and a physician. This meeting can occur either at the doctor's practice or during a home visit. The physician is required to consider the patient's overall health, specific medical conditions, and any concurrent medication during the evaluation. A thorough medical history and physical examination are essential components of the process. Additionally, patients must receive ongoing education about the risks of dependency and the potential physical or psychological effects associated with cannabis use, which can vary depending on dosage and duration of therapy.

For repeat prescriptions, at least one in-person consultation must occur within every four quarters. Follow-up prescriptions within this timeframe may be issued using telemedicine, provided a previous personal consultation concerning medical cannabis has taken place within the past year.

The ban on shipping medical cannabis also extends to the online prescription and mail-order delivery of cannabis products. The government justified this move by highlighting problematic developments on certain internet platforms, where individuals could obtain prescriptions for medical cannabis solely by filling out online questionnaires, without ever meeting a physician in person. Patients could then select their preferred cannabis strains and have them sent directly to their homes, bypassing the crucial step of personal medical assessment and counseling.

With the new law, comprehensive counseling and mandatory information regarding the use and risks of medical cannabis are to be conducted exclusively through direct interaction at pharmacies. The legislation makes clear that while the shipment of medical cannabis is now prohibited, pharmacy delivery services that bring medications directly to patients' homes remain unaffected by the changes, as they typically require in-person verification and counseling by the pharmacist.

The government's decision is part of a broader effort to address concerns about inappropriate use and to enhance patient safety. The Ministry of Health had earlier signaled its intent to tighten regulations after observing an increase in medical cannabis consumption through online channels, often without adequate medical supervision. These developments were considered a risk to public health and prompted the recent amendment to the MedCanG.

Stakeholders in the pharmacy and healthcare sectors have largely welcomed the move, noting that it reinforces the importance of direct patient care and safeguards against potential misuse. The new rules are expected to strengthen quality standards, ensuring that medical cannabis is used appropriately and only when medically justified.

The legislation does not affect the ongoing debate regarding the broader legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Germany, which remains subject to separate discussions and regulations. The current changes apply solely to the medical use of cannabis and are intended to provide a clear regulatory framework for healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients alike.

With the new measures, the German government aims to balance patient access to necessary therapies with robust oversight, prioritizing patient safety and public health while curbing unregulated distribution channels.