In the first three months of 2019, Germany imported more medical marijuana than in the entire period of 2024.
According to the country’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, aka BfArM), 37.223 tonnes of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes in the form of dried flower and extracts were imported into the country in the first 3 months of 2025, compared to 8.143 tonnes in Q1, 2024.
Canada provided the largest amount of marijuana, at 16.057 tonnes. Portugal was next with 12.059 tonnes and Denmark came third with 2.534 tonnes.
Australia was only a minor player in the past period, contributing just 804 kg. In 2025, however, the Australian cannabis market could be bigger than it was in 2024.
In 2017, Germany approved the medical use of marijuana and in February 2024 the German Parliament passed the Cannabis Act, which legalized recreational cannabis use.
When standard therapies are not suitable or available, a doctor may prescribe medical marijuana to treat a serious condition. Many insurance companies cover the costs of prescriptions.
The German market has been a problem for a long time due to lacked local supplies. This is why imports have risen dramatically, boosted by the changes in regulations that make medical cannabis more accessible.
The domestic production is increasing, as the centralised redistribution and tenders are no longer in place. It is open to all producers who have a license. The domestic production was limited to only 2.6 tons, and those producers who won the tendering processes were then required to deliver their production to the National Cannabis Agency for distribution.
DEMECAN, a German firm, became the first German business to be granted a license under the Medical Cannabis Law. The company at the time claimed this would immediately allow them to double their production.
For personal consumption, an adult can store 50 grams of dried cannabis at home.