The German government has approved a plan to restrict online sales of cannabis in response to a sharp increase in imports since the legalisation of recreational use in 2024.
Under the new amendment, patients seeking cannabis prescriptions must meet doctors in person, while mail-order delivery will be banned. Distribution will henceforth be limited to physical pharmacies to ensure proper medical counselling.
Germany became the ninth country to legalise recreational cannabis in April 2024.
According to the government, imports of the drug rose by more than 400 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.
“The massive increase in cannabis imports and the practice of prescribing cannabis online without any personal medical contact require political action,” said Health Minister Nina Warken in a statement.
Officials noted that the rise in imports was not linked to higher demand from seriously ill patients, as prescriptions issued through the public health insurance system only increased marginally.
(NAN)