From policy shift to prescription boom: Inside Germany’s rapidly scaling medical cannabis market

On April 1, 2024, when the German government reclassified cannabis as a non-narcotic, the country took more than just a step forward in progressive cannabis policy. The legislative action brought by the Cannabis Act (CanG) expanded the healthcare market by allowing doctors to prescribe medical cannabis in the same manner as they would other medications. Just two years later, the industry has grown exponentially. Cannabis prescriptions have increased, imports have scaled rapidly, and digital and telemedical-led platforms have changed the way patients and physicians access treatment. 

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By December 2025, the number of medical cannabis prescriptions in Germany had climbed by over 3,300 percent compared to March 2024, the month before reclassification, according to a Bloomwell report. The rapid growth of cannabis prescriptions suggests a sustained integration of the plant into Germany’s healthcare system, with projections indicating continued expansion and economic growth beyond 2025.

Since then, medical cannabis has emerged as a multi-billion-euro industry in Germany. Advancements in digital access and telemedicine, an increase in cannabis imports to meet patient demand, steady supply and affordability to counteract the illicit market competition, and the normalization of the plant’s use in medical and social settings have contributed to the success and continued growth of the market.

Germany’s cannabis market heats up

Imports of medical cannabis have surged to an estimated 200 tons in 2025, up from 32 tons in 2023, according to Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). In addition, according to BPC, medical cannabis sales have increased from nearly €1 billion in 2024 to approximately €2 billion in 2025. The steadfast rise in both imports and sales reflects a growing industry sector spurred by an evolving regulatory environment established by the passage of CanG and market demand. 

Unlike some other legalized markets, such as California’s in the U.S., Germany’s medical cannabis market has not been eclipsed by its illicit competitors following the expansion of access in the sector. Despite the increase in demand for medical cannabis, the supply has remained sufficient, and the plant has remained accessible and affordable to German patients. 

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According to an analysis conducted by Bloomwell, the average price per gram of medical cannabis flower fell by more than €3 over the course of 2025, down from €8.33 in January to €5.23 in December. During that time, the variety of cannabis flower products available to patients increased as well, from 468 to 724. With products continuing to stay attainable for German patients with an even more extensive assortment of products for patients to choose from, the market remains functional, competitive, and resilient in a competitive global landscape.

With increased access to medical cannabis in Germany, the use of the plant in both healthcare and societal settings has begun to shift toward normalization. According to a July 2025 Bloomwell report, almost half of surveyed cannabis patients reported that the cannabis they received by prescription from a pharmacy is less expensive than unlicensed sources, dispelling outdated affordability misconceptions. The report also showed that 83% of respondents stated that the medical cannabis they acquired by prescription from pharmacies is of higher quality than what can be procured on the illicit market. 

What’s ahead

The last two years have well-positioned the German medical cannabis market for both domestic and international investor interest. The industry has demonstrated a clear, consistent demand for medical cannabis, as shown in the increase in patient numbers, prescriptions, and imports. North American investors are betting on Germany’s medical cannabis staying power, as seen in recent acquisitions of key players in the country, such as Sanity Group and Remexian. The market’s resilience under Germany’s newly elected government demonstrates both staying power and policy continuity.

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For U.S. and Canadian-based investors, Germany’s medical cannabis market offers lucrative opportunities that may even compel the most risk-averse venture capitalists. Within the cannabis industry, many may look to enter the market through infrastructure, services, and technology investments. With the market demand stabilized and supply scaling efficiently, industry reliance on telemedical, digital prescribing and compliance software, pharmacy enablement, logistics, and EU-GMP–certified import and distribution networks becomes that much more crucial to industry operations. 

As medical cannabis further integrates into Germany’s healthcare framework, operators are seeking to streamline doctors’ administrative tasks, increase patient acquisition, and help ensure patients receive consistent, affordable care. Market consolidation is already underway, allowing for established, well-positioned companies to lead strategic acquisitions and growth investments. Unlike more fragmented markets like those in the U.S., the German medical cannabis market can offer investors more regulatory clarity, scale on a national level, and opportunities for policy development as it continues to serve as a model for a successful cannabis market in Europe and worldwide.