Dealers are happy! CDU wants to overturn cannabis law: Obligation to see a doctor + shipping ban

Dealers rejoice and hundreds of thousands of patients in Germany look to Berlin with concern: on October 8, 2025, the Federal Cabinet passed the bill to amend the Medical Cannabis Act. In short: â compulsory medical use â shipping ban â freedom. What many had feared is now becoming reality: the cabinet’s decision provides for massive restrictions on telemedicine and mail order. This could have serious consequences for patients in rural areas or with chronic illnesses. Why? Act now ð Support Petition 2025!

The “new” Cannabis Act 2026

After months of discussion, the German government has officially approved the planned tightening of the Medical Cannabis Act. The draft comes from Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). According to the ministry, the aim is to “strengthen medical care and curb abuse”. However, critics see this as a major step backwards for patients’ rights and the security of care.

3 quick facts about the new law

If everything remains as decided in the draft bill, these are the 3 most important changes:

Aspect	Current	New	Amendment
Online prescription	Allowed	Forbidden	In future, the first prescription may only be issued after a personal visit to the doctor or at home. Pure online prescriptions without personal contact will be completely eliminated.
Follow-up recipe	Partly possible online	Restricted permitted	After an initial face-to-face appointment , an online follow-up prescription is possible for three further quarters. After that, another face-to-face appointment must take place.
Shipping	Allowed	Forbidden	The shipment of medicinal cannabis is prohibited. Dispensing will only take place on site at the pharmacy with consultation. Courier deliveries by pharmacies remain permitted.

Do you live in the country? Then you have to drive 30km, 40km, 50km.

Isn’t it amazing?

Now it’s about more! We are all joining forces, already over 25,000 votes! Sign now: Cananbis Petition 2026

Let’s look at the draft law in detail.

Personal doctor visits mandatory for first prescriptions

The cabinet decision confirms this: Anyone wishing to obtain cannabis on prescription for the first time in future must attend an appointment with a doctor in person. Telemedicine is excluded for first-time prescriptions. For many people with chronic pain, limited mobility or long journeys, this means more effort, waiting times and, in some cases, poorer care.

“In future, medicinal cannabis may only be prescribed after personal contact with a doctor.” – Cabinet draft of 8.10.2025

Yes, regardless of whether you have to travel 30 kilometers, 40 kilometers or longer, the CDU wants to see you at the doctor.

Telemedicine remains possible to a limited extent for follow-up prescriptions

Unlike in the original draft bill, telemedicine is not completely banned for follow-up prescriptions. However, at least one visit to the doctor must be made in person within four quarters in order to continue receiving online follow-up prescriptions. This means that digital access will be retained – but only for existing patients.

“For follow-up prescriptions, personal contact is required within the last four quarters.”

Ban on shipping cannabis flowers remains in place

One particularly controversial point remains unchanged: The shipping ban. Pharmacies are no longer allowed to ship medicinal cannabis flowers. In future, patients will have to collect their medication in person from a cannabis pharmacy. This will be a real hurdle for people in rural areas or with rare strains.

“The marketing of cannabis flowers by mail order is prohibited and violations are punishable by law.”

Did you know? 1.8 billion in tax revenue

No sooner has it been legalized than the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) is to be severely restricted again. Dealers are happy and the state is losing billions in taxes. In 2021 alone, cannabis generated 1.8 billion euros in tax revenue and saved the police over 1.05 billion.

• Cannabis tax: revenue of 1,800 million euros
• Savings in police costs: 1,051.19 million euros
• Value added tax: revenue of 650 million euros
• Social security income: 525.95 million euros

Nevertheless, the CDU wants the ban.

Why the changes are so controversial

Telemedicine and mail order have given tens of thousands of patients access to urgently needed medicines in recent years. Especially in regions without specialized doctors or for patients with limited mobility, digital medical consultations and shipping have been a real care solution. With our cannabis map you can easily find cannabis pharmacies and more in your area.

The new law threatens supply bottlenecks – and in the worst-case scenario, many patients could end up on the black market.

Affected patient groups

Particularly affected groups include people with chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, depression or ADHD. Many of them have turned to digital care – not out of convenience, but out of medical necessity. There is still a lack of specialized cannabis doctors in rural areas.

Security of supply at risk

Critics warn of a paradoxical situation: while Germany continues to develop the legal market for recreational use, patient pathways are being made more difficult. Without a local supply and mail order, many fall back on illegal sources of supply, even though they could actually have a prescription.

Reactions from politicians, associations and experts

The decision has been met with clear criticism. Parties such as the Greens, FDP and the Left are skeptical of the planned changes. Patient associations and the German Hemp Association have also warned that a shipping ban would jeopardize patient safety and cut off supply routes. That is why we at CannaZen support the German Hemp Association.

Criticism: a step backwards for digital medicine

Telemedicine has long been established in many areas. A selective ban only for cannabis prescriptions would be discriminatory and stigmatizing. Experts see this as a departure from modern, patient-centered care.

Pros & cons at a glance

The discussion divides politicians and the public:

Pro (from the government’s point of view)

• Personal visits to the doctor should prevent abuse
• Control and quality should increase
• Abuse by recreational users is to be curbed

Contra (from the critics’ point of view)

• Telemedicine facilitates access, especially in rural regions
• Shipping enables supply of rare varieties
• Mail-order ban drives patients onto the black market
• Digitization is being rolled back

What happens next?

The cabinet decision is just the beginning. The next step is consultation in the Bundestag. Amendments could be passed there or resistance could arise. The timetable envisages the law coming into force at the beginning of 2026. Patients, associations and doctors therefore have a narrow window of opportunity to exert influence.

• October 2025: Cabinet decision
• Fall/winter 2025: Consultation in the Bundestag
• Beginning of 2026: Entry into force planned

Cannabis Petition 2025: Take action now

The draft law has been passed, but is not yet final. Now is the time to take action. Patients, doctors and supporters are calling for improvements – especially with regard to the ban on mail order. If you want digital care and remote access to be preserved, you can sign up here:

• 👉 Sign the Cannabis Petition 2025

Stay informed, follow us on YouTube or check back regularly at en.cannazen.one/. We continue to report on all developments relating to the medical cannabis supply in Germany.