The planned changes by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) regarding the distribution of medical cannabis are meeting strong resistance. At the center of criticism is the proposed ban on pharmacy shipping, a service that former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had previously supported. Experts and patients fear that this move would dismantle a supply structure that has been functioning for years. This is reported by G.business, citing Heise Online.

Dr. med. Julian Wichmann, founder and CEO of Bloomwell GmbH, calls the draft “a step back into the analog Stone Age.” In his view, policymakers fail to recognize the medical benefits of cannabis and wrongly equate it with illegal drugs. This ignores the fact that in medical practice only pharmaceutically pure, controlled products are dispensed — with age verification, medical supervision, and clear quality standards.

Alarming Numbers

A recent Bloomwell survey of around 2,500 patients shows:

  • 42% would turn to illegal cannabis if shipping were banned.
  • 58% would be forced to end or severely complicate their therapy.
  • In rural areas, the nearest specialized cannabis pharmacy is often more than 50 km away.

According to Wichmann, shipping has proven essential for providing quick and reliable access to patients with chronic pain, ADHD, or other conditions.

International Studies Support the Criticism

Data from the United States and Canada show that access to medical cannabis can reduce the use of opioids and sleeping pills by up to 80%. In Germany, about two million people are dependent on sleeping pills — a problem that cannabis therapy could potentially alleviate.

Threat to Telemedicine

Alongside the shipping ban, telemedical prescriptions could also be restricted. For many patients, especially those with mobility issues or living in underserved regions, video consultations are often the only realistic way to begin or continue cannabis therapy.

“This is a textbook example of functioning digital healthcare — and now they want to abolish it,” says Wichmann. According to an internal Bloomwell analysis, fewer than 5% of general practitioners in Germany are willing to prescribe cannabis. Without telemedicine, many patients face a “medical odyssey” or a turn to the black market.

Political Background

The government originally intended to wait for the ongoing evaluation of cannabis laws before making changes. The current push comes before reliable data is available. Critics accuse the BMG of relying on general abuse arguments without backing them up with scientific evidence.

Industry Demands

Providers such as Bloomwell are calling for:

  • Retention of pharmacy shipping for medical cannabis
  • Protection and expansion of telemedicine
  • Decisions based on current scientific evidence
  • Greater inclusion of patient experiences in legislative processes

In conclusion, the debate over shipping medical cannabis is far more than a technical detail. It is about access to a proven therapy, the quality of life for thousands of patients, and whether modern healthcare channels like telemedicine will be supported or blocked in Germany. Upcoming political decisions will determine whether patients can continue to receive timely and comprehensive treatment — or if they will be forced into longer journeys, waiting times, and unsafe alternatives.

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