Continued growth of medical cannabis in Germany and Luxembourg

Germany, the world's second-largest importer of cannabis

Germany's largest health insurer has covered €75 million in medical cannabis costs so far this year, according to figures from the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV), which provides public health insurance to 90% of the country's population.

Germany is now the world’s second-largest importer of medical cannabis, behind Israel. Most of the medical cannabis comes from the Netherlands, with a small portion from Canada, and the Spanish company Alcaliber has just been granted its import license. The first domestic harvests the three approved companies—Aphria, Aurora, and Demecan are not expected until 2021.

Since 2017, the German doctors are authorized to prescribe medical cannabis to treat conditions such as cancer, depression, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Products made from cannabis flowers account for to date Just under half of total sales, at 49.8%, with the remaining sales consisting of cannabis extracts and pharmaceutical products. Compounded cannabinoid preparations and Sativex accounted for 30% and 14%, respectively, of total sales for the first half of the year.

Luxembourg, little by little

The number of patients who received medical cannabis in Luxembourg this year exceeded the total for 2019, according to the Luxemburger Wort.

Medical cannabis was prescribed at least once to 415 patients in 2019. So far this year, the number of unique patients is 441. Since prescriptions began in early 2019, 630 patients have been treated with cannabis at least once.

Speaking at the event, the minister acknowledged that, in the past, the importation of medical cannabis was subject to «complex procedures and sometimes long delays,» but she assured the audience that the current supply is sufficient.

An evaluation of Luxembourg’s medical cannabis program is expected in early 2021. To date, all medical cannabis sold in Luxembourg has been imported. Given the growing demand, the country estimates that it will need to import up to 270 kilograms in 2020.