The legal framework for medical cannabis is once again at the center of federal policy discussions. During a hearing of the Health Committee on January 14, 2026, industry associations and expert witnesses debated the proposed amendment to the Medical Cannabis Law (MedCanG). While regulatory authorities support the planned abuse prevention measures, industry representatives and patient organizations warn of significant restrictions to supply security. The law, which is scheduled for passage in spring, could take effect as early as the second quarter of 2026.
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Controversy Over In-Person Doctor Contact and Telemedicine
A central point of contention in the draft is the planned requirement for in-person initial contact between physician and patient. The German Central Office for Addiction Issues (DHS) and the German Medical Association welcome this tightening. The medical profession also advocates for reclassifying cannabis as a controlled substance and expresses skepticism about the prescribability of flower products, arguing that scientific evidence is insufficient.
Against this stand warnings about the consequences for patient care. Franjo Grotenhermen (Working Group Cannabis as Medicine) and Georg Wurth (German Hemp Association) emphasized during the hearing that telemedicine is often the only option for patients who cannot find treating physicians locally. Kirsten Müller-Vahl also noted that restricting digital offerings could strengthen the black market, which would contradict the stated goal of youth protection.
Criticism of Shipping Ban and Pharmacy Concerns
The discussed shipping ban also raises concern. Christiane Neubaur, managing director of the Association of Cannabis-Supplying Pharmacies (VCA), pointed out that particularly immobile patients in rural areas depend on specialized mail-order pharmacies. Many local pharmacies lack the necessary expertise for comprehensive medical cannabis supply.
The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, meanwhile, positions itself against commercial platforms. President Armin Hoffmann stressed that pharmaceuticals are not consumer goods and should therefore not be distributed through commerce-oriented portals. The ABDA also suggested consistently extending planned tightening measures to cannabis extracts to close regulatory gaps.
Political Divisions and Need for Adjustments Within the Union
Clear fault lines are emerging within federal politics. The SPD faction has already signaled it will not approve the draft in its current form. Legal policy spokesperson Carmen Wegge called the shipping ban potentially contrary to European law and emphasized that the draft does not reflect the agreements made. Within the Union, too, calls for corrections are growing louder. Simone Borchardt, health policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU faction, acknowledged that „adjustments“ are needed in certain places to ensure practicality and avoid supply gaps.
While the AfD faction proposed subjecting cannabis to the AMNOG procedure, this met with rejection from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the GKV Umbrella Association. The complexity of natural cannabis varieties cannot be adequately addressed through blanket procedures.
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