In short supply, Luxembourg seeks a new supplier for medical cannabis

The years pass and supply problems persist. The Luxembourg is still facing to significant medical cannabis supply problems. The issue has become pressing as two of the three types of cannabis flower have experienced shortages throughout the year.

Although all categories are currently available, these disruptions highlight production bottlenecks in this relatively new sector. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in response to a parliamentary question from Sven Clement, a Pirate Party member.

The Ministry of Health attributed these supply problems to recurring production issues, a challenge that has persisted since Legalization of medical cannabis in Luxembourg in June 2018. Despite these obstacles, the government remains determined to ensure a stable supply of medical cannabis for patients who need it.

Future measures and tender procedure

In response to supply disruptions, the Luxembourg government plans to issue a tender for a new cannabis distributor later this year. The current contract with the supplier It expires at the end of the year.

The Ministry of Health is currently analyzing potential changes to how medical cannabis is obtained, handled, or distributed. This evaluation aims to address root causes of bottlenecks and improve overall supply chain efficiency. The ministry has not yet indicated whether it will change the current supplier, which has been in place since 2021, or if it will consider a new contractor.

Historical context and political landscape

Medical cannabis has been legal in Luxembourg since July 2018, a legislative development that many hoped would pave the way for the decriminalization of recreational use. This expectation was partly fueled by the commitment made in 2018 by the DP-LSAP-Green coalition to legalize recreational cannabis. However, the The coalition only managed to pass one law who authorizes the cultivation of a limited number of cannabis plants at home and reduces fines for possession of small quantities.

Since then, the political landscape has changed with the new CSV-DP government, which has abandoned the project of full legalization recreational cannabis. This situation contrasts with that of neighboring Germany, which has considerably liberalized its cannabis laws in April of this year.