Online Cannabis Deliveries through Video Conference: Understanding Permitted Actions and Regulations
In Germany, the landscape of healthcare and cannabis use is evolving, with two significant developments shaping the future of these sectors.
Firstly, the Cannabis Act (CanG) has created a clear legal framework for non-medical recreational use of cannabis for the first time. Simultaneously, it governs the medical use, distribution, and prescription of cannabis, with an emphasis on in-person doctor-patient interactions post-implementation of stricter regulations [1][2][3][4].
Prior to the Cannabis Act, telemedical care with medical cannabis prescriptions was possible under certain conditions. The legislative change brought significant innovations, including the abolition of the BtM prescription requirement and the possibility of prescriptions on a regular insurance prescription [4].
Telemedicine services, including online doctor consultations, are regulated under German law when provided remotely from Germany. This framework allows telemedicine to grow while ensuring privacy and data protection under European regulations [1][2][3].
Specialized platforms like CanDoc offer patients a structured and digital access to medical cannabis within the existing regulations. The practice was based on the medical duty of care and the guidelines of the German Medical Association for Telemedicine. The first step on these platforms is usually an online questionnaire that asks about medical conditions, current complaints, previous therapy attempts, and any contraindications [4].
Patients no longer need their health insurance company's approval before the first prescription if a doctor with the appropriate specialization issues the prescription. If there are no exclusion criteria, the prescription is issued and sent to a partner pharmacy on request [4].
However, a draft amendment released by the German Health Ministry in July 2025 introduces stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions, requiring patients to have an in-person consultation at the physician's office [4]. This change is viewed by industry stakeholders as potentially pushing patients to illicit markets and hindering the growth of the medical cannabis sector [4].
On the other hand, telemedicine thrives under modern digital law frameworks facilitating remote healthcare delivery across Germany. As of 2025, telemedicine regulation in Germany is embedded in a growing digital health infrastructure supported by laws such as the Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) and expansions like electronic patient records (ePA) and electronic prescriptions (e-Rezept) [1][2][3].
Critics of online medical cannabis prescriptions express concerns about misuse and bogus indications. However, the digital model of medical cannabis prescription shows that it can be unburdened and responsible [4]. The new Medical Cannabis Law brings more clarity and reduces bureaucratic hurdles for patients who rely on digital provision [4].
The Medical Cannabis Act has created an independent legal framework for the medical use of cannabis medicines. The easy access via a questionnaire is seen as a potential weak point, but it ensures supply in times of pharmacy shortages and benefits people with little time due to work or family reasons [4].
Finally, the Cannabis Act has decriminalized the possession, consumption, and home cultivation of cannabis for personal use under certain conditions for adults [4]. This ensures supply in times of pharmacy shortages, providing a more accessible and responsible approach to cannabis use in Germany.
[1] Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) - German Federal Ministry of Health
[2] ePA - Electronic Patient Records - German Federal Ministry of Health
[3] e-Rezept - Electronic Prescriptions - German Federal Ministry of Health
[4] MedCanG - Medical Cannabis Act - German Federal Ministry of Health
- The landscape of healthcare and cannabis use in Germany is undergoing significant changes, with the Cannabis Act (CanG) shaping the future of both sectors.
- Under CanG, a clear legal framework for non-medical recreational use of cannabis and medical use, distribution, and prescription of cannabis has been established.
- Previously, telemedical care with medical cannabis prescriptions was possible under certain conditions.
- The Cannabis Act has brought innovations such as the abolition of the BtM prescription requirement and the possibility of prescriptions on a regular insurance prescription.
- Telemedicine services, including online doctor consultations, are regulated under German law when provided remotely from Germany.
- Specialized platforms like CanDoc provide patients with structured and digital access to medical cannabis within the existing regulations.
- The first step on these platforms usually involves an online questionnaire regarding medical conditions, current complaints, previous therapy attempts, and any contraindications.
- If a doctor issues a medical cannabis prescription, patients no longer require health insurance company approval before the first prescription.
- However, a draft amendment by the German Health Ministry in July 2025 introduces stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions, requiring in-person consultations at the physician's office.
- This change may push patients towards illicit markets, potentially hindering the growth of the medical cannabis sector.
- Despite these concerns, telemedicine thrives under modern digital law frameworks, facilitating remote healthcare delivery across Germany.
- As of 2025, telemedicine regulation in Germany is embedded in a growing digital health infrastructure supported by laws such as the Digital Healthcare Act (DVG), ePA, and e-Rezept.
- Critics of online medical cannabis prescriptions express concerns about misuse and bogus indications, but the digital model can be unburdened and responsible.
- The new Medical Cannabis Law brings more clarity and reduces bureaucratic hurdles for patients who rely on digital provision.
- The easy access via a questionnaire ensures supply in times of pharmacy shortages and benefits people with little time due to work or family reasons.
- Additionally, the Cannabis Act has decriminalized the possession, consumption, and home cultivation of cannabis for personal use under certain conditions for adults.
- This approach provides a more accessible and responsible approach to cannabis use in Germany.
- The landscape of healthcare and cannabis use in Germany is evolving, with cannabis supplements gaining attention in various medical-conditions, chronic-diseases like chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, cancer, and respiratory-conditions.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, cannabis is also being explored for its potential in digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, and mental-health.
- Furthermore, cannabis oil, such as CBD, is being researched for its potential benefits in neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune-disorders, multiple-sclerosis, migraine, and cardiovascular-health.
- Beyond healthcare, the Cannabis Act's impact extends to industries such as finance, energy, oil-and-gas, and entrepreneurship, leading to discussions about leadership, diversity-and-inclusion, small-business, investing, wealth-management, and personal-finance.
- The banking-and-insurance sector is also affected, with debates on banking cannabis businesses and insurance coverage for cannabis-related treatments.
- As the cannabis industry grows, issues related to technology, such as security, data privacy, and AI, become increasingly important.
- The housing-market is also influenced by the Cannabis Act, with potential impacts on real-estate regulations and property values in commercial and residential areas.
- Venture-capital and private-equity firms are showing interest in the cannabis industry, recognizing its potential for growth and investment opportunities.
- Saving, debt-management, and budgeting strategies might also need to be adjusted to accommodate cannabis-related expenses for those needing therapies-and-treatments and supplements.
- Lastly, the stock-market is closely watching the developments in the cannabis industry, with potential investments in cannabis-related companies and the growth of the cannabis stock sector.
