Germany imported over 50 tonnes of medical cannabis in the first quarter of 2026

Germany once again demonstrates the breadth of its medical marijuana. According to figures recently published by’Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), the country imported at least 50,539 tons of medical cannabis products in the first quarter of 2026 alone, as reported by the’ICBC.

Adding the imports recorded in the previous three quarters, Germany imported more than 218 tons of medical cannabis over a 12-month period, confirming its position as Europe's leading legal cannabis market and the world's top destination for cannabis for imported medical cannabis products.

A market on a scale unprecedented in Europe

The latest figures published by BfArM highlight the extraordinary growth of the German market since medical cannabis has been available in pharmacies since 2017. What was once a relatively limited patient access program has evolved into a mature and highly internationalized industry, supplied by growers from all over the world.

Among the countries supplying the German market, the Canada maintains its leadership position. Canadian producers have spent years developing their export capabilities and obtain the regulatory certifications required to access European pharmaceutical markets.

The scale of German imports is even more striking when compared to other European countries. Visit United Kingdom, Germany, generally considered Europe's second largest medical cannabis market, imported around 30 tonnes of medical cannabis products in 2025. The annual volume of German imports is therefore several times higher.

While imports remain the cornerstone of the German market, domestic culture is playing an increasingly important role. The adoption of German Cannabis Act (CanG) in 2024 abolished the production quotas that had previously limited commercial cultivation in the country. Since then, domestic production capacity has grown steadily, enabling local growers to meet a growing share of patient demand.

This expansion of German cultivation may partly explain why imports in the first quarter of 2026 were lower than the revised figures recorded at the end of 2025. As local cannabis production has increased, some of the demand that previously depended on imported products can now be met on the domestic market.

New access routes

Germany's cannabis reforms have also opened up new legal avenues for adults to access cannabis. Since April 2024, In the UK, adults are allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants at home. Although there is no official data on the number of patients using cannabis for medical purposes who have chosen this route, it is likely that some people are now supplementing or replacing their pharmacy purchases with their own cultivation.

The country's legal framework also authorizes the creation of cannabis-growing associations non-profit organizations, commonly known as «Cannabis Clubs». Since July 2024, these associative organizations have been authorized to cultivate and distribute cannabis to their registered members, in compliance with strict regulations.

Germany has already approved over 430 cultural associations across the country. While the precise impact of home-growing and cannabis clubs on medical cannabis sales remains uncertain, both developments are contributing to a more diverse cannabis ecosystem.