The German parliament has approved funding for cannabis treatments through the German social security system. This reform allows for the prescription of cannabis and cannabis extract to chronically or seriously ill patients with no other therapeutic alternative.
\nControlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes will also be permitted to ensure supply to pharmacies.<\/p>\n
A pilot project, which began last April, involved 647 patients who received authorization from the Federal Institute for Medicines and Health Products (BfArM) to purchase medicinal cannabis at pharmacies. This project yielded positive results and demonstrated its effectiveness in improving patients' quality of life. From now on, this authorization will no longer be required; instead, a prescription will suffice, and the cost will be covered by the public healthcare system.<\/p>\n
The German government estimates that the average cost of cannabis treatment will range from \u20ac540 to \u20ac1,800 per month per patient. Germany has been importing cannabis from the Netherlands since 2014.<\/p>\n
Associations that advocate for the legalization of cannabis are not entirely satisfied with this reform, as it will only regulate its therapeutic use, while Health Minister Hermann Grohe states that "the use of cannabis as a medicine within narrow limits is useful, but cannabis is not a harmless substance, so the legalization of recreational use is neither the objective nor the purpose of the reform."\u201c<\/p>\n
Minister Gr\u00f6he considers quality controls and monitoring of side effects a priority; therefore, all patients undergoing cannabis treatments will participate in a study where their doctors will explain the diagnosis, the treatment, and its effect to analyze the impact and benefits of the treatment.<\/p>\n