Medicinal cannabis imports 2025: +171% to 192.5 tons + countries of origin

The import of medicinal cannabis in 2025 will be higher than ever before. While only 71.1 tons were approved in 2024, the German government has approved an additional 70 tons for 2025 – bringing the planned import volume to an impressive 192.5 tons. A massive jump of +171%, which shows how strongly demand is growing and how important imports have become for the German supply chain.

Planned and approved import volume increased in 2025

The increase was surprisingly clear from the current licensing data: Germany is no longer importing from just a few countries in 2025, but is expanding its quotas and regions of origin. The aim is to close the supply gaps that have existed for years – especially since more patients are using telemedicine and demand continues to rise.

+70 tons import permit

The additional 70 tons are not simply a bonus – they are a direct response to the real measured demand. Many varieties were already out of stock for months in mid-2024. The increased authorization ensures that pharmacies can plan more long-term and manufacturers can align their production more stably.

What is particularly exciting is that a large proportion of the new volumes come from countries that have massively expanded their production in 2023-2024. This will make Germany one of the largest single markets worldwide. Even Morocco now wants to enter the medicinal cannabis market.

Medical cannabis import & supply chain

How does the supply chain actually work in Germany? There are numerous steps between cultivation and pharmacy – each of which is strictly regulated. From harvesting to laboratory testing and import control, everything is carried out according to EU GMP standards. These processes ensure that the flowers are clean, safe and reproducible.

  • Harvesting → Drying → Laboratory analysis
  • GMP packaging & export release
  • Customs inspection & import release
  • Redistribution to pharmacies

What the path of the flower really looks like

Many people do not know how strictly and in detail this route is monitored. Every barcode, every batch, every terpene value is recorded. Only when the laboratory reports are complete are pharmacies allowed to dispense the goods. As a result, Germany has extremely high quality standards – higher than many leisure markets worldwide.

A look into production – real impressions

And this is exactly where we take you: to one of the largest production facilities in the world. We were there at harvest time for Gorilla Zkittlez – from the plants in the flowering tunnel to the packaging line. This documentary shows you how medicinal cannabis is actually grown – in detail, transparently and without filters.

From import to the warehouse – and then to the pharmacy

After import, each batch is first stored in special GMP warehouses. There, the minimum shelf life, moisture levels, batch details and laboratory values are checked again. The goods are only delivered to pharmacies once the entire documentation process has been completed.

Germany’s largest cannabis warehouse – documentary

Before medical cannabis ends up on pharmacists’ shelves, it passes through one of the most secure and modern warehouses in Germany. Our short documentary shows you what it looks like there: Scanners, temperature rooms, clean room handling, batch tracking. A look behind the scenes that is rarely granted.

Countries of origin for medicinal cannabis

Germany sources its flowers from several continents. The most important cultivation regions have clear advantages due to climate, indoor technology or GMP infrastructure. Here are the currently most important countries of origin – with brief facts and figures.

  • Portugal – over 30 approved production facilities
  • Canada – one of the world’s largest exporters
  • Israel – a leader in pharmaceutical research
  • Denmark – High-tech indoor facilities
  • Australia – a rapidly growing export market
  • Spain – large indoor and greenhouse areas

MedCanG: Medical Cannabis Act

MedCanG Cannabis Gesetz

The MedCanG defines the entire medical supply: quantities, routes, authorizations, telemedicine, dispensing points, pharmacy processes. At the same time, it is the basis for why imports are so strictly regulated. The development of the law began almost ten years ago – and since then it has been tightened up several times, most recently as part of the partial legalization process.

We have summarized the most important stages for you: from the first pilot projects to today’s import structures.

Häufig von anderen gelesen