Germany remains the dominant player in Europe’s legal cannabis market. Germany started selling medical cannabis in pharmacies through 2017 and the market in the country has grown rapidly since then.
The total medical cannabis imports are a good way to quantify the size of Germany’s medical cannabis market. In addition to domestic medical cannabis production, Germany’s legal cannabis industry imports a considerable number of products from other countries—far more than any other European nation.
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Germany (BfArM), regularly releases data on medical cannabis products imported. BfArM reported that Germany imported 50.539 tons of medical cannabis in the first quarter 2026. Germany’s total medical cannabis importation in a year is 218 tonnes when combined with the Q2-Q4 2025 figures. Consider that in 2025, the United Kingdom was the European country with the largest legal medical cannabis market, importing roughly 30 tons. Germany has a massive legal marijuana industry, far ahead of second-place.
In Q1 2026, Germany imported less than the prior quarter. Germany imported medical cannabis in 60.772 tonnes during Q4 of 2025. BfArM revised the initial total of 56.625 tonnes to 60.772 tons. BfArM also updated the Q3 2025 tonnages previously reported from 56.915 tonnes up to 59.076 tonnes. The data for Q2 2025, Q1 2020 and Q3 2025 have also been slightly adjusted over the years. Therefore, it is possible that Q1 2016 will also see an upward revision.
Cannabis production in Germany is increasing
Germany’s cannabis medical industry continues to grow, regardless of the future revision. Imports of medical cannabis products aren’t the only option for patients in Germany. In Germany, the production of medical cannabis has been increasing every year. Before the CanG passed the landmark measure in 2024 there were quotas for domestic production. After the CanG approved the new quota, this limit has been lifted.
Germany’s industries import more products than ever before, but the increase in production at home is a major factor. The demand remains high, but the local supply helps to meet this demand.
The Home Cultivation of Cannabis and the Clubs that Promote it are Changing consumer behavior
The rise in adult cannabis use freedoms is another factor. Adults in Germany will be able to grow up to three cannabis in their homes starting April 1, 2024. It is likely that some adult medical marijuana patients, who previously only used imported cannabis products to treat their conditions, are now growing their own medicine in their homes because it makes sense and costs less. It is difficult to say how much this dynamic has affected Germany’s medical marijuana import sector, but there must be some impact.
In addition to the medical cannabis program or home cultivation, adults in Germany have a second way of legally acquiring cannabis. From July 1, 2020, German adults will be able to apply to form noncommercial cultivating associations. These are also called “social clubs.” These associations have members who can purchase cannabis produced legally by these associations.
At least 430 cannabis cultivators are approved in Germany. In a similar way to home-grown cannabis, some medical cannabis patients are finding that associations offer a more convenient option than relying solely on retailers who sell medical cannabis imported from abroad.
The German Adult-Use Cannabis Industry continues to evolve
The legal cannabis market in Germany is now stronger than it has ever been, even though the industry continues to change. This evolution is expected to continue into the future. Germany will eventually approve regional adult-use Cannabis commerce pilot trial trials that have been long awaited. These are key components of Germany’s CanG legislation. There are numerous pilot trials in place in both the Netherlands, and Switzerland. They have not had any major issues. But for reasons which seem to be illogical, Germany’s federal regulators have yet to approve even one pilot trial request. This will eventually change and the entire industry in Germany, including its medical sector, will follow suit. Like every legal cannabis market, Germany’s cannabis industry is full of moving pieces. The recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, in April, discussed these moving parts in detail. The ICBC’s YouTube channel has all of the keynote speeches and panel discussions from the Berlin conference.