A possible turning point for the legal cannabis market
In early October 2025, the German government presented a draft law intended to restrict or ban the online sale and shipping of medical cannabis in the future.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, this is meant to regulate the rapidly growing import market and strengthen the medical oversight process.
The draft has not yet been passed, but it is already causing intense discussion in the cannabis community, among patients and across the industry.
Background: a rapidly growing market
In the first half of 2025, import figures for medical cannabis rose by around 400 percent.
This boom shows how strongly demand for controlled cannabis products for medical purposes has grown and how relevant digital access channels have become.
According to the Ministry of Health, however, this development is “not in line with the original legislation”, as prescription cannabis flower is increasingly being obtained via online channels.
What would the new law mean in concrete terms?
If the draft is implemented, initial prescriptions would require an in-person doctor visit; follow-up prescriptions would be tied to regular in-person contact.
Classic mail-order shipping of medical cannabis would be dropped. Dispensing would then run through the local pharmacy or its courier service.
That would have far-reaching consequences, especially for the chronically ill, people with limited mobility or people in rural regions who have so far relied on telemedicine and online pharmacies.
“A digital step backwards in a market that actually needs more accessibility and innovation.” (420BRANDS commentary)
Reactions from the industry
Many players in the cannabis industry view the draft critically.
Telemedicine providers, pharmacies and patient representatives warn that the planned changes could significantly hamper access to medical cannabis.
At the same time, experts emphasise that risks of misuse and opaque structures in the current market are indeed a problem, which increases the political pressure to regulate.
Commentary by 420BRANDS
The draft shows that cannabis liberalisation in Germany continues to swing between progress and regression.
While decriminalisation advances on one hand, the brakes are applied again elsewhere, above all where digital innovation and accessible medical care meet.
At 420BRANDS we are convinced: the future of the market lies in a transparent, patient-friendly and digitally integrated system, not in additional barriers.
Policymakers now face the challenge of reconciling safety and accessibility without stalling medical progress.
Sources & further information
- Reuters: Germany to restrict online cannabis sales to curb ballooning imports (08/10/2025)
- Federal Ministry of Health: Draft law amending the Medical Cannabis Act
