For some time now, patients in Germany have been able to obtain cannabis from pharmacies with a prescription and no longer need a special exemption. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the background and goal of the law is to improve palliative care. However, there is no definitive list of diseases that can be treated with cannabis. The treating physician decides in consultation with the patient whether cannabis can positively influence the course of the disease and whether treatment makes sense.
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Also new is the reimbursement of costs by health insurance companies provided that no other recognized treatment is effective. Currently, the dried flowers are still imported from the Netherlands and Canada. Lack of cost coverage by health insurance or long-lasting supply shortages don’t seem to be improving the situation for patients at the moment. Regardless of the problems patients are currently facing, a total of 16 strains are approved in Germany. Who grows the medicine from German pharmacies and what’s behind the strains offered?
Bedrocan, Tweed and Aurora
While domestic cannabis cultivation is planned, cannabis from German pharmacies is currently imported. The Canadian companies Tweed and Aurora as well as the Dutch manufacturer Bedrocan are responsible for cultivation.
Bedrocan
Bedrocan is a medical cannabis manufacturer in the Netherlands. For over 20 years, they have been growing standardized medical cannabis with a consistent composition of cannabinoids and terpenes. Bedrocan also has production sites in Canada and the Czech Republic. Their products are available in ten countries worldwide, including Israel and Brazil. The family business is the sole supplier to the Office for Medical Cannabis (OMC) in the Netherlands. The government agency holds the monopoly for supplying Dutch pharmacies as well as for import and export. Bedrocan’s production facility in the Netherlands complies with European Medicines Agency (GMP) standards in all processes, from clone to final product. Bedrocan strains have been available to patients in Dutch pharmacies since 2003, and researchers around the world frequently use Bedrocan cannabis in their studies. The company also offers cannabis oil.
Currently, five different cannabis strains from Bedrocan are available. The doctor decides which is best suited for treatment.
THC/CBD Content of Bedrocan Strains
| Strain | THC Content | CBD Content |
| Bedrocan | approx. 22% | up to 1% |
| Bedrobinol | approx. 13.5% | up to 1% |
| Bedica granulated | approx. 14% | up to 1% |
| Bediol granulated | approx. 6.3% | approx. 8% |
| Bedrolite granulated | up to 1% | approx. 9% |
Bedrocan
Bedrocan has been available in the Netherlands since 2003 and is the „most popular“ Bedrocan strain. It has a THC content of approximately 22% and up to 1% CBD and is most frequently used as a medical cannabis product. The strain is also used much more frequently than other variants in worldwide research projects. Behind the brand name Bedrocan is allegedly a Jack Herer genetics from Sensi Seeds. The hybrid is Sativa-dominated and patients increasingly use the strain for treating depression, nausea/vomiting following chemotherapy, or loss of appetite. Due to its Sativa genetics, some patients prefer other strains when treating ADHD.
Bedrobinol
Another strain that Bedrocan has also been cultivating since 2003 is available under the name Bedrobinol. Although it allegedly originated from crossing Jack Herer genetics with Afghan genetics, according to Bedrocan Canada it descends from Afghani and Pure Haze. What’s certain is that the strain has 13.5% THC and a CBD content of up to 1%. With its higher Indica content, it’s often used in treating stress, insomnia, or chronic pain.
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Bediol
Bediol is the first Bedrocan strain specifically bred for its high CBD content. The strain has been on the market since 2007 and has a nearly balanced THC to CBD ratio with 6.3% THC and 8% CBD. According to Bedrocan, Bediol is often prescribed to patients using cannabis as medicine for the first time. Due to its high CBD content, Bediol has a more relaxing effect and is prescribed for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory properties. What’s special is that Bediol is only available as granules, meaning in pre-ground form. This is intended to improve dosability.
Bedica
The strain offered under the brand name Bedica is valued for its Indica-dominated character. It contains 14% THC and less than 1% CBD. Bedica has a high concentration of the terpene myrcene, known for its calming effects. Patients with chronic pain often turn to Bedica because of its relaxing effects. The strain appeared in 2011 and is also only available as granules in German pharmacies.
Bedrolite
Behind the name Bedrolite is a CBD-rich strain that came to market in 2011. With less than 1% THC and a CBD content of 9%, it has almost no psychoactive effects and, according to Bedrocan, is preferred by many patients with severe, treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy. Bedrolite is also only available to patients in Germany as granules.
For the future, Bedrocan plans to bring Amnesia Haze genetics to market under a different name.
Aurora
The cannabis grown in Canada was previously imported by the German pharmaceutical company Pedanios GmbH. Meanwhile, Pedanios GmbH has been acquired by the Canadian company Aurora. The number in the strain name indicates the THC or CBD content. It should be mentioned that since the Aurora takeover, the characteristics of Pedanios 22/1 have changed significantly.
THC/CBD Content of Aurora Strains
| Strain | THC Content | CBD Content |
| Pedanios 22/1 | approx. 22% | up to 1% |
| Pedanios 18/1 | approx. 18% | up to 1% |
| Pedanios 16/1 | approx. 16% | up to 1% |
| Pedanios 14/1 | approx. 14% | up to 1% |
| Pedanios 8/8 | approx. 8% | approx. 8% |
Pedanios 22/1
Characteristic of this strain is a THC content of 22% and up to 1% CBD. Aurora keeps the exact genetics of the strain to themselves, but according to unanimous reports, 22/1 is a sativa-dominated strain with Lemon Haze genetics.
For comparison: Before the Aurora acquisition, Pedanios 22/1 was characterized by its indica-dominated character.
