Germany’s cabinet approved new restrictions on online
cannabis sales after a sharp rise in imports since the recreational use of the
drug was legalised.
In order to ensure appropriate counseling, the current law will be amended to prohibit mail-order delivery of cannabis and will necessitate direct, in-person interaction with a doctor for a prescription.
In April 2024, Germany became the ninth nation to legalize the drug for recreational use. According to the administration, imports increased by almost 400% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same time the year before.
"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.
The administration claimed that while prescriptions through the social health insurance system only increased by a single-digit percentage, the increase is not the result of increased demand from people who are really sick.
"People who really need medicinal cannabis will still be able to get it,"
Warken told reporters.
A representative for Jiroo, a cannabis-focused pharmacy in Berlin, told Reuters that they anticipated the greatest effect to be felt by patients in remote areas who might not have access to quality care in their communities.
How will the new rules affect Cannabis Social Clubs membership access?
CSCs function as non-profit organizations that lawfully
cultivate and distribute cannabis flowers to their members, who lawfully access
cannabis by purchasing a club membership rather than directly purchasing
cannabis.
Under the new regulations regarding distribution and sales, CSCs will not be able to sell or deliver cannabis online or by mail order, and all distribution must occur in-person at the club’s premises, or other registered physical locations.
Because of the ban on online prescriptions and deliveries, CSC members will need to have facetime medical consultations to have legal access to cannabis, which might impact the ease of joining and initiating or renewing a membership.