On April 1, 2024, Germany implemented the Cannabis Act (CanG), which reclassified cannabis as a non-narcotic. The legislation made medical cannabis more accessible to patients and prescribing doctors by removing administrative burdens. Under reclassification, medical cannabis can be prescribed in the same manner as other prescription medications like high-strength ibuprofen. Prior to CanG, patients needed a special narcotics prescription and a qualifying chronic condition to receive prescribed medical cannabis, which often was offered only as a “last resort” treatment.
Imports doubled in 2024
According to the most recent report from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), medical cannabis imports to Germany nearly doubled in 2024 due to the market’s progression under CanG. According to the report, the country imported seventy tons of dried medical cannabis flower in 2024, up from just thirty-two tons a year earlier.
During 2024’s fourth quarter, Germany imported 31,691kg of dried cannabis flower, up 53 percent from what was reported in the previous quarter. Compared to Q4 2023, the amount of cannabis imports in Q4 2024 increased by 272 percent. In 2025, imports could exceed 150 tons, and the number of patients could rise to more than two million.
Germany’s reliance on foreign import partners
To meet the needs of Germany’s growing medical cannabis market, the country leans on its foreign import partners to keep supply steady and affordable for patients. According to the BfArM, Canada and Portugal are the country’s largest medical cannabis import providers. Canada’s import volume in 2024 doubled to 33,155kg compared to its 2023 numbers (16,895kg). Portugal increased its imports to 17,230kg in 2024, up 318 percent from 2023. Imports from Spain, Denmark, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom also poured into Germany.
With continued growth of the medical cannabis market anticipated in 2025 and beyond, foreign cultivators have significant opportunities to partner with Germany. Products must adhere to the rigorous regulations of the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) certification and the Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP). The standards require oversight of safe practices across all stages of cannabis production.
Opportunities for international import partners
Reports like the import numbers released by the BfArM indicate a continued progression and expansion of the German medical cannabis market and, therefore, an even stronger reliance on import partners to maintain a steady supply. With its upward trajectory, the industry can benefit from more international suppliers entering the market, especially those in regions that have cultivation and production standards in line with EU GMP and GACP standards. Both Canadian and Portuguese cannabis cultivators have demonstrated the value of the market by meeting these standards and exceeding import levels year over year.
Aside from meeting EU GMP and GACP standards, international partners seeking to capitalize and engage with Germany’s thriving medical cannabis market should establish a strong understanding of the market’s expansion under CanG. They also should identify the key players in the German market who are reputable and in compliance with import and distribution regulations. Those interested may wish to attend international conferences, trade shows, or reach out to executive boards directly. Collaborating with those already established in the industry can help guide potential partners through the regulatory landscape, assist with legal approvals needed for imports, and successfully transition into the market.
Will the political change in Germany impact medical cannabis?
The federal elections in Germany in February resulted in victory by Friedrich Merz and his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. The likely next outcome is a governing coalition between the CDU and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which previously held the majority. Though some have speculated the new government may roll back portions of CanG, observers expect the impact to the medical cannabis industry to be minimal, if there is any impact at all.
Primary among the reasons no impact is expected: A rollback in legislation would put unnecessary strain on the burgeoning medical market and access for patients. Access to medical cannabis is overwhelmingly popular in Germany, as evidenced by the 1,000-percent jump in prescriptions following CanG’s enactment. Moreover, according to a poll published in December, 59 percent of Germans support full legalization of recreational cannabis. The German political parties have reassured their constituents medical cannabis will remain accessible to patients without unnecessary administrative burdens. In addition, CDU politician Thorsten Frei, who will play a major role in the coalition negotiations, explicitly stated Germany needs to prioritize issues that are more pressing than revising cannabis regulations.
Serial entrepreneur Niklas Kouparanis has shaped the future of the European cannabis industry since 2017 as a medical cannabis pioneer, founder, and growth activator. In 2020, he co-founded Bloomwell Group, which is among Europe’s largest telemedical cannabis companies. Bloomwell Group serves as a central hub for a cannabis ecosystem that covers the entire value chain with the exception of cultivation. Through digitization of the treatment process, Bloomwell facilitates a reliable supply of medical cannabis to patients and contributes to the destigmatization of the plant in medicine through data-based research.
