Medical cannabis has been legally prescribable in Germany since 2017 – but how many patients actually use it? Demand is steadily increasing, but exact figures are often difficult to find. In this article, we analyze current statistics, the legal framework and future trends for medicinal cannabis in Germany.
Current patient numbers in Germany
According to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), there were over 200,000 patients with a cannabis prescription in 2023. The number has increased more than tenfold since legalization, which indicates a growing acceptance in medicine.
Disease patterns with cannabis therapy
The most common diagnoses for which cannabis is prescribed are:
Chronic pain (e.g. with multiple sclerosis)
Spasticity in neurological diseases
Appetite stimulation in cancer and HIV patients
Mental illnesses such as PTSD (in individual cases)
Legal framework
Since the Cannabis Act of 2017, doctors have been able to prescribe medical cannabis if conventional therapies fail. However, the assumption of costs by health insurance companies is often an obstacle:
Hurdles for patients
Bureaucratic applications: Patients often have to wait months for approvals.
Cost issue: Not all health insurance companies cover the costs without further ado.
Stigmatization: Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe cannabis due to ignorance or prejudice.
Future prospects & market development
Experts predict that the number of cannabis patients in Germany could rise to over 500,000 by 2030. The reasons for this are:
More research: New studies prove its effectiveness in other diseases.
Political developments: Possible further liberalization (e.g. home cultivation) could facilitate access.
Growing acceptance: More and more doctors and patients are recognizing the medical benefits.
Conclusion
The number of medical cannabis patients in Germany is growing rapidly, but legal and bureaucratic hurdles remain. However, with increasing research and social acceptance, cannabis could soon become an integral part of the German medical landscape.
Source: https://internationalcbc.com/how-many-legal-medical-cannabis-patients-does-germany-have/