Medical cannabis in Germany

Since 1 April 2024 the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) governs how cannabis is prescribed in Germany. Since 30 July 2026 an important change applies to people with statutory health insurance that many sources have not caught up with. This page sets out the current position — with the statutes, without advertising and without recommending any provider.

No longer a narcotic — an ordinary prescription

Under the MedCanG, medical cannabis is no longer a narcotic. It is prescribed on an ordinary prescription (nabilone excepted). Any physician may prescribe it except dentists and vets; there is no specialty restriction.

When statutory insurance pays — and the July 2026 change

The GKV contribution-stabilisation act of 24 July 2026 rewrote section 31(6) of the Social Code Book V, in force since 30 July 2026. Statutory insurance now no longer covers cannabis flowers— only standardised extracts, dronabinol and nabilone — and first requires a six-month trial with an approved finished medicine. The insurer's prior approval remains, with deadlines of two weeks, four with an expert opinion, and three days in palliative care or after a hospital stay; certain specialists are exempt. Official FAQs still partly say flowers are covered; the statute prevails. Whether existing approvals for flowers keep their cover is not expressly settled.

Online prescriptions

The MedCanG in force requires no in-person contact, but the medical professional code allows treatment exclusively at a distance only case by case. A government bill (Bundestag printed paper 21/3061) would require in-person contact before prescribing flowers and ban their mail-order delivery. It is in committee and has not been passed.

Advertising cannabis therapy is prohibited

Prescription medicines may not be advertised to the public (section 10(1) of the German Therapeutic Products Advertising Act). On 26 March 2026 the Federal Court of Justice held that this covers platforms naming “medical cannabis” and matching conditions while inviting requests, even without naming a product. Balanced, complete information remains allowed.

Travelling with a prescription

Prescribed cannabis may be carried as travel supply. For Schengen states, the prescribing doctor completes a certificate under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, certified before departure by the state's health authority; it is valid for up to 30 days, one per medicine. Without a prescription, carrying cannabis across any border is a crime.

Sources

• Medizinal-Cannabisgesetz (MedCanG)
• § 31 Abs. 6 SGB V — Versorgung mit Cannabis
• GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz, BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 228
• Gesetzentwurf zur Änderung des MedCanG, BT-Drs. 21/3061
• BfArM — Reisen mit medizinischem Cannabis
• BGH, Urteil vom 26.03.2026 – I ZR 74/25 (Pressemitteilung)

This is not legal or medical advice. ZazaMap arranges no treatment and recommends no provider.