The New Frontier in Medicine: Navigating the Rapid Rise of Medical Cannabis in Germany

Since April 1st, 2024, the medical landscape in Germany has experienced a significant shift. The use of cannabis products in medicine has become much simpler, transforming from a last-resort therapy to an option as readily available as common painkillers like Ibuprofen. This change has triggered a surge in demand, greater acceptance among medical professionals, and increased competition within the industry. David Henn, the founder of pharmaceutical supplier Cannamedical, provides insights into this rapid transformation and its implications.

Medical Cannabis in Germany: A New Era

David Henn: “Access to medical cannabis has become significantly easier since April 1st. Until then, it was the last resort in therapy and could only be prescribed by a handful of doctors in Germany. Since April 1st, cannabis is regulated as the equivalent of Ibuprofen 600. Therefore, all 418,000 practicing doctors in Germany can prescribe it. The demand is accordingly high.”

A Surge in Demand

The medical market for cannabis previously consisted of approximately 100,000 patients. In the past few months, this number has doubled, and this growth is expected to continue as more patients and doctors explore the benefits of medical cannabis.

Therapeutic Applications of Cannabis

Cannabis has a broad application spectrum in medicine. Strong therapeutic successes have been observed in treating epilepsy and chronic pain. Germany’s aging population has shown a significant demand for alternative treatments, moving away from traditional pharmaceuticals.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Despite the clear legal framework, not all doctors are enthusiastic about prescribing cannabis products. Henn highlights efforts to increase acceptance: “We receive many signals from doctors who are looking for alternative administration forms for their patients. We conduct training sessions and have a medical hotline available to doctors. However, a group of doctors remains skeptical due to the substance’s limited application in legal medicine so far. But that will change in the coming years.”

Education and Support

Canna-medical is actively working to educate and support doctors through training and dedicated resources. This initiative aims to dispel skepticism and build a broader base of support within the medical community.

Distinguishing Medical and Recreational Use

Henn emphasizes the importance of differentiating between medical and recreational cannabis use. While both have been legalized, the legal frameworks and intended uses are distinct. Medical cannabis follows strict guidelines and is aimed at therapeutic applications, whereas recreational use is regulated separately and does not fall within Canna-medical’s expertise.

The Business of Medical Cannabis

Canna-medical imports cannabis products primarily from abroad and distributes them across Europe. Henn explains, “I’ve been doing this for eight years and was one of the first active founders in this field. We have always decided against cultivating medical cannabis ourselves and use contract farmers for this. The value creation chain, however, does not only consist of import and distribution. We import raw material, but each flower is still trimmed in Germany. We fill it into collection containers and label the products. There’s a lot more to it.”

Potential Market Entrants

While the cannabis market in Germany is currently too small to attract major pharmaceutical companies, Henn acknowledges their interest. Both the pharmaceutical and tobacco industries are keeping an eye on the burgeoning cannabis market, but for now, Canna-medical and similar companies lead the way.

Challenges and Opportunities

The rapid rise in demand for medical cannabis has led to concerns about potential shortages, akin to a modern-day gold rush. However, Canna-medical’s established supply chain and focus on quality control position them well to meet this demand.

The legalization and easier access to medical cannabis in Germany mark a new frontier in medicine. With increasing demand, evolving acceptance among doctors, and a robust supply chain, the landscape is rapidly changing. Canna-medical, under the leadership of David Henn, is at the forefront of this transformation, navigating challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field.