Germany’s medical cannabis imports Canada accounted for over half the volume of 50,539 kg in 2026’s first quarter. German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices’ (BfArM’s) latest data shows that Canadian manufacturers accounted for over half of the total volume imported during this time.
German medical cannabis imports in Q1 of 2026
Germany imported cannabis flowers for medical or medical-scientific purposes in the first three months of 2026. According to the German Federal Statistics Office, this figure is a drop of around 15% from the previous quarter and an increase of 34% when compared with the first quarter in 2025. BfArM data. BfArM stated 50,539kg, but a breakdown of the total by country was 49,540kg, and four countries did not have specified quantities.
Canada exported 26,753 kg of total, representing 53%. German medical cannabis imports. Portugal was the country with the largest contribution, 10,342kg, and often served as an intermediate for cannabis goods destined for German markets. Denmark came in third place with 3,338kg. In parallel, Germany export 1,526 kg cannabis flowers for medical and scientific purposes in Q1 2026. This is a small decrease from the prior quarter, but a significant increase over last year.
Canadian Export Strategy & EU-GMP Compliance
Exports are exempt from domestic excise tax of $1 per kilogram, so Canadian cannabis producers focus on the international market to maximise potential margins. The meeting of representatives from the cannabis industry in Canada, with the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of International Trade (and the Canada Trade Commissioner Service) on May 4, 2020 to discuss opportunities for export markets highlighted this strategy.
For cannabis to be imported into Europe, and Germany in particular, it must comply with European Good Manufacturing Practices. BfArM clarified their cultivar approval procedure in late 2025 amid increased EU-GMP scrutiny. A company can verify its compliance with these standards by obtaining an EU-GMP certification from a governmental authority or regulator, such as the European Medicines Agency or a competent national authority. Before they enter the market, cannabis-growing companies who are not EU-GMP accredited often have their products processed by EU-GMP facilities located in Canada, Portugal or other EU-GMP countries, such as Malta and Switzerland. This is also known as “GMP cleaning.”
German Regulation Environment and Domestic Capacity
Germany’s medical marijuana framework relied heavily on imports for many years, while slowly developing domestic production. With a population exceeding 84,000,000, the nation currently only has three domestic licensed producers. Two of these are owned by Canadian firms (Tilray/Aphria, and Aurora). Canada is the opposite, with nearly 1,000 licensed cannabis producers supporting a 40-million population.
In recent years, the German legal system has changed. In February 2024 the German Medical Cannabis Act was passed, which expanded access to medical cannabis via pharmacies. The framework allows online consultations, and pharmacies can mail cannabis products directly to patients. More than seven German pharmacies offer medical cannabis. Germany legalized marijuana for adults on April 1, 2020, but only allowed private cultivation and personal use without commercial sale. The law also does not permit commercial sales nor regulate commercial production. The German Federal Court of Justice ruled in March 2026 that the advertising of medical cannabis contravenes Germany’s laws on medicinal product advertising.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette is not a medical provider and does not offer diagnoses or treatment plans. Before making decisions about your health, or any other medical conditions, always consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia has not evaluated statements about the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoid products, hemp or cannabis. TGA regulates the access to medical cannabis in Australia.