Medical cannabis in Germany has seen huge growth over the past few years. Although it legalised in 2017, the government’s 2024 decision to open up the recreational market saw interest in medical cannabis take off to new heights. Patients now number around 900,000, and the country imports 70 tonnes of legal cannabis flower each year. 

But, will this market continue to boom and grow at such an epic rate? To answer that, this article will look at what has made medical cannabis such a success in Germany, what patients want from the market and what future moves to look out for. This is the future of Germany’s medical cannabis boom, and what you need to know about it. 

Why are Germans Seeking Out Medical Cannabis? 

Primarily, medical cannabis is clearly proving an effective treatment. If this many people are seeking it out, despite it also being recreationally legal, it suggests they understand the growing pile of evidence that proves its efficacy and safety as a regulated, clinically administered medicine. 

Experienced clinicians from international markets such as Releaf in Germany have also contributed to changing the game in online prescriptions, or telemedicine. Their services make it easier for patients across the country to explore and access the treatment they need. Especially in rural areas where specialist dispensaries might not be in easy reach.

Other reasons medical cannabis has seen such massive growth in Germany include:

  • A more liberal attitude to cannabis in general than some other medical markets
  • The legalisation of insurance on cannabis-related businesses means, crucially, cannabis prescriptions can be covered by private health insurance
  • Low prices due to the flood of imports and competition between the medical and newly-legal (albeit small scale) private market 

Is This Massive Growth Sustainable? 

Between April 2024 and now in 2025, the number of medical cannabis patients in Germany went from around 250,000 to 900,000. That is a crazy rate of growth. But can it continue?

Well, the answer points to yes – in at least the short to medium term. To understand why, it may be interesting to look across the pond to the USA.

Florida is/was (the stats are very close) the world’s largest medical cannabis market, now next to Germany. It has some 900,000 registered medical cannabis patients, partly due to its high population of older, retired people. Medical cannabis patients make up a surprisingly large 3.5% of the American state’s population of 24 million.

Compare that to Germany’s 83 million population, with just over 1% recorded as medical cannabis patients. That shows, there is room for growth – at least another doubling in market size. 

However, in the long term there are challenges that could slow growth or stop it entirely. For one thing, there must be a point of market saturation. Especially for a psychoactive medicine, its neither realistic or in the interest of public health to have really large percentages of the population as patients. 

More Community and International Collaborations are Key 

All this activity in the space means building a sustainable and lasting economy that patients can comfortably rely on is key. 

One such way to do that is through communities and experts who can help compare clinics and treatment options for patients. Such as Dr Ansay reviews, that look at experiences with Germany’s more popular online cannabis clinics. In a medical context especially, patients being able to effectively choose and compare the best options for their needs is hugely important.

Cannabis as a medicine is distinct from pharmaceuticals in many ways, not least its historicity and community. Two people who occasionally take a Gelonida (paracetamol) are unlikely to share the same bond as two people who are medical cannabis patients. 

One of the most common ailments cannabis is prescribed for in Germany, is chronic pain management. These kind of conditions can make people isolated and lonely – especially with so many different conditions causing the pain. So the connection medical cannabis can provide can be a valuable secondary benefit.

New Legislation Could Change the Scene 

That differentiation, and the unignorably huge growth of the sector, is not without its challenges. The wider legalisation of recreational cannabis in Germany has changed attitudes in many, but not everyone.

Unlike in the UK, for example, smoking medical cannabis – while absolutely not recommended by clinicians – is not illegal in Germany. This can be seen as antisocial, considering smoked cannabis has a pungent smell that makes it far less discrete than vaping, edibles or oils. Although there is a ban on consuming in pedestrian zones and near certain facilities, it has still proved controversial. 

In recent weeks, the new look coalition government has suggested maybe the law has been too liberal with who can be prescribed medical cannabis. Politicians have introduced a draft bill, still in its early stages, which could roll back some of the changes made in 2024. 

If that does happen, the effect on some legitimate patients (and the business sector) will be significant – but it remains to seen if any changes will actually be made.