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Germany to Tighten Online Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Over Misuse Concerns

Health Minister Nina Warken cites a tripling in medical cannabis consumption and aims to curb suspected abuse by restricting online access.

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Die neue Bundesgesundheitsministerin Nina Warken (CDU) will den Missbrauch von medizinischem Cannabis verhindern - und dafür Online-Verschreibung einschränken. Warken sieht einen Missbrauch von medizinischem Cannabis.

Overview

  • German Health Minister Nina Warken plans to restrict online prescriptions of medical cannabis, citing its ease of access and suspected misuse.
  • Consumption of medical cannabis in Germany has surged from 31 tons to 100 tons between April 2024 and the same period the previous year, according to official data.
  • Warken emphasized that medical cannabis should only be available for patients with serious health conditions, not for recreational use.
  • The German government has committed to evaluating the broader cannabis legalization policy in the fall, as agreed in the coalition contract.
  • Critics, including the German Medical Association, have raised concerns about public health risks and the persistence of the black market despite legalization efforts.