Market response
The German Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW), in an updated position paper, warned that the proposed bans would ‘place a heavy burden on patients with mobility restrictions’, those unable to easily attend appointments in person, including disabled, elderly, or rurally situated patients, adding that ‘only the black market will benefit’ from the clampdown.
As such, it argues for the implementation of ‘scientific model projects’, as seen in Switzerland and already accounted for in Section 2, Paragraph 4 of the Cannabis Act (KCanG).
The federal government’s path is incorrect. BvCW’s Dirk Heitepriem said that we need models projects and telemedicine to allow consumers legal access.
There are 60 application forms, 34 of which were model projects. However, the applications have not yet received approval.
Michael Greif, BvCW’s Managing Director, said: “We request that the federal government pave the path for science-based model projects. These projects allow us to test solutions for both protecting consumers and reducing illegal trade. These are essential to a fact-based regulatory system.”
Bloomwell Group mirrored this sentiment, but went further, accusing the government of ignoring its largely pro-cannabis coalition partners (SPD), breaking its coalition agreement and using medical cannabis as a ‘bargaining chip’.
Key to this, is the fact that the CDU/CSU have routinely blocked applications for cannabis social clubs and model projects in controlled states, meaning, according to Bloomwell Group’s CEO Niklas Kouparanis, that ‘only reliable supply besides home cultivation is currently medical cannabis for patients from pharmacies.’
He added: “I also am astonished at the Federal Ministry of Health, who is hostile to digitalization. This attitude pushes aside the real issues of an already overburdened German Healthcare System and jeopardizes the care of many thousands of Cannabis patients. …
“We’re witnessing the Conservative faction breaking the Coalition Agreement with a solely ideological approach. The industry, the pharmacies and patients expect the Social Democrats now to be steadfast and to keep their promises in the parliament process. If the SPD disappears, it will be a phantom. Medical marijuana is not a bargaining tool!”
Constantin von der Groeben is the managing director at Demecan, a Saxony-based manufacturer. Apotheke Adhoc that the Cabinet’s draft amendment ‘draws attention to an important problem: the German market is being flooded with imports.
The first half of the year 2025 saw almost 81 tonnes. In 2024 there was about 72 tonnes.
He added that domestic production remains low at under 3 tonnes, even though German manufacturers ‘have long been competitive’, and warned that ‘the proposed measures miss the mark’.
Von der Groeben further criticised the proposed shipping ban as ‘outdated and threatens the security of supply’, arguing that ‘hundreds of thousands of patients will suffer, as access will be made more difficult. It is important that the parliament process tightens up.
Market response
The German Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW), in an updated position paper, warned that the proposed bans would ‘place a heavy burden on patients with mobility restrictions’, those unable to easily attend appointments in person, including disabled, elderly, or rurally situated patients, adding that ‘only the black market will benefit’ from the clampdown.
As such, it argues for the implementation of ‘scientific model projects’, as seen in Switzerland and already accounted for in Section 2, Paragraph 4 of the Cannabis Act (KCanG).
The path that the federal government has taken is not right. BvCW’s Dirk Heitepriem said that we need models projects and telemedicine to allow consumers legal access.
There are 60 application forms, 34 of which were model projects. However, the applications have not yet received approval.
Michael Greif, BvCW’s Managing Director, said: “We request that the federal government pave the path for science-based model projects. These projects allow us to test solutions for both protecting consumers and stopping illegal trade. These are essential to a fact-based regulatory system.”
Bloomwell Group mirrored this sentiment, but went further, accusing the government of ignoring its largely pro-cannabis coalition partners (SPD), breaking its coalition agreement and using medical cannabis as a ‘bargaining chip’.
Key to this, is the fact that the CDU/CSU have routinely blocked applications for cannabis social clubs and model projects in controlled states, meaning, according to Bloomwell Group’s CEO Niklas Kouparanis, that ‘only reliable supply besides home cultivation is currently medical cannabis for patients from pharmacies.’
Then he continued, “I’m also surprised by the Federal Ministry of Health’s hostility towards digitalization. It is ignoring the real issues of an overburdened German health care system while putting at risk the effectiveness of treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients who are cannabis users. …
We are seeing a pure ideological approach from the conservatives, who have broken the coalition agreement. The industry, the pharmacies and patients expect the Social Democrats now to be steadfast and to keep their promises in the parliament process. If the SPD disappears, it will be a phantom. “Medical marijuana is not a bartering tool!”
Constantin von der Groeben is the managing director at Demecan in Saxony. Apotheke Adhoc that the Cabinet’s draft amendment ‘draws attention to an important problem: the German market is being flooded with imports.
In 2024, the amount of foreign medical cannabis was 72 tonnes. By 2025’s first half, it had increased to almost 81 tons.
He added that domestic production remains low at under 3 tonnes, even though German manufacturers ‘have long been competitive’, and warned that ‘the proposed measures miss the mark’.
Von der Groeben further criticised the proposed shipping ban as ‘outdated and threatens the security of supply’, arguing that ‘hundreds of thousands of patients will suffer, as access will be made more difficult. It is important that the parliament process tightens up.
Cannabis Law Resources in Poland
Discover essential legal information about the cultivation of cannabis, its sale, and regulations governing medical products in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certification, permissions and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland