Germany’s medical cannabis market reached approximately €1.15bn in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now generating around 75% of total market value, according to a new whitepaper published today by MEDCAN24 Prohibition Partners.
Whitepaper European Cannabis Insights 2020, draws on exclusive data and insights presented at the European Cannabis Insights Summit, held in Berlin on June 10, 2026.
This report examines structural forces that are changing the face of medical cannabis markets across Germany, Poland, Switzerland, as well as explains how the outcome of regulatory decisions is not the determining factor in the next stage.
Ben Stevens writes that the European Cannabis Industry has reached a point where the winner will depend less on the regulatory outcome than the choices made by operators in the next two or three years. MEDCAN24In the foreword of this report.
We have summarized some of the key findings from this report.
Germany’s dynamically changing dynamics
Since the Medical Cannabis Act came into effect on April 20, 2024, there has been a significant transformation in Germany’s medical cannabis market. However, it is not uniformly distributed.
GKV is a statutory German health insurance that covers about 90% of Germans. It generates less then a quarter (25%) of the total market. The structural complexity and persistent refusals of insurers by physicians have limited reimbursement volumes. This situation became even more acute after Germany passed legislation to ban cannabis flowers in GKV covered products starting July 30th, 2026. The measure has been challenged by patient groups, who are seeking a review from the courts.
The sector is continuing its rapid growth. In the period between March 2024 and Dec 2025, prescriptions have increased by over 3000% while cannabis SKUs are more than twice as many.
Predicted to reach more than €1.5bn over the next four years, Germany’s trajectory will now depend almost entirely on the growth of private prescription volumes among patient cohorts currently under-served by telemedicine models.
Supplies Pressure
Germany imports increased by over 170% from 2025. Canada accounted for nearly 46% direct imports and almost three-quarters when indirect imports were taken into account.
The margins have grown at a much slower rate than the volume. This report, which examines supply-demand imbalances as average wholesale prices are continuing to decline, explores this trend.
The number of flower products has increased dramatically, but balanced strains, which meet German pharmaceutical standards in both THC AND CBD, are still scarce. Operators who can supply a consistent product that is quality tested and has reliable cannabinoid profile continue to command a premium price.
Poland Lessons
After Poland banned telemedicine prescriptions of medical cannabis by November 2024 the prescription volume fell 57% within the first few months.
Market recovery has been fueled by hybrid models of in-person clinics, which have extended geographical reach throughout the country.
Over the same period of time, average prices fell from 65 PLN to 47 PLN. Poland is presented as an example that shows how resilient patient demand becomes when operators adapt their access routes, and the revenue risks they face when not.
Switzerland’s example
The Swiss adult-use programme pilot has provided some of the most tangible data on illegal market displacement.
Two thirds of all participants in the eight active pilots no longer purchased cannabis illicitly, and overall, illicit purchases fell by half.
This report compares and contrasts Swiss and German regulations in the design of pilots. Switzerland’s pilots’ legal foundation is approximately 80 pages in length, while Germany has a similar statutory basis that covers about two pages.
Download the European Cannabis Insights white paper here. In association with CB Club, MEDCAN24 and Prohibition Partners produced the report.
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This informative article is brought to you by Gen-Europa →
Germany’s medical cannabis market reached approximately €1.15bn in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now generating around 75% of total market value, according to a new whitepaper published today by MEDCAN24 Prohibition Partners.
Whitepaper European Cannabis Insights 2020, draws on exclusive data and insights presented at the European Cannabis Insights Summit, held in Berlin on June 10, 2026.
This report examines structural forces that are changing the face of medical cannabis markets across Germany, Poland, Switzerland, as well as explains how the outcome of regulatory decisions is not the determining factor in the next stage.
Ben Stevens writes that the European Cannabis Industry has reached a point where the winner will depend less on the regulatory outcome than the choices made by operators in the next two or three years. MEDCAN24In the foreword of this report.
We have summarized some of the key findings from this report.
Germany’s dynamically changing dynamics
Since the Medical Cannabis Act came into effect on April 20, 2024, there has been a significant transformation in Germany’s medical cannabis market. However, it is not uniformly distributed.
GKV is a statutory German health insurance that covers about 90% of Germans. It generates less then a quarter (25%) of the total market. The structural complexity and persistent refusals of insurers by physicians have limited reimbursement volumes. This situation became even more severe when Germany passed legislation to eliminate cannabis flowers in GKV covered products starting July 30th, 2026. Patients groups have asked for a legal review and the long-term validity of this measure is still contested.
The sector is continuing its rapid growth. In the period between March 2024 and Dec 2025, prescriptions have increased by over 3000% while cannabis SKU’s are more than twice as many.
Predicted to reach more than €1.5bn over the next four years, Germany’s trajectory will now depend almost entirely on the growth of private prescription volumes among patient cohorts currently under-served by telemedicine models.
Supplies Pressure
Germany imports increased by over 170% from 2025. Canada accounted for nearly 46% direct imports and almost three-quarters when indirect imports were taken into account.
The margins have grown at a much slower rate than the volume. The report examines structural imbalances in supply and demand as wholesale prices fall.
While there are more flower-based SKUs available, products that meet German pharmaceutical standards in both THC AND CBD remain rare. Operators that can consistently supply quality-tested products with consistent cannabinoid profiles command a sustained premium.
Poland Lessons
In the months immediately following Poland’s November 2024 ban on the telemedicine prescribing of medical marijuana, the number of prescriptions fell by 57%.
Market recovery has been fueled by hybrid models of in-person clinics, which have extended geographical reach throughout the country.
Over the same period of time, average prices fell from 65 PLN to 47 PLN. Poland is presented as an example that shows how resilient patient demand becomes when operators adapt their access routes, and the revenue risks they face when not.
Switzerland’s example
The Swiss adult-use programme pilot has provided some of the most tangible data on illegal market displacement.
Two thirds (of all participants) no longer source cannabis illicitly, and the overall illegal sourcing has dropped by half.
This report compares and contrasts Swiss and German regulations in the design of pilots. Switzerland’s pilots’ legal foundation is approximately 80 pages in length, while Germany has a similar statutory basis that covers about two pages.
You can now download the European Cannabis Insights Whitepaper 2026. In association with CB Club, MEDCAN24 and Prohibition Partners have produced the report.
Sponsored Content
This informative article is brought to you by Gen-Europa →
Cannabis Law Resources in Poland
Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation 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