The president of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, has voiced support for plans by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) to restrict the prescription of medicinal cannabis, while simultaneously advocating for more comprehensive measures.
Minister Warken’s proposal to mandate an in-person physician examination prior to prescribing medicinal cannabis is deemed “imperative” from a medical perspective, Reinhardt told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland network. He emphasized that the psychoactive nature of cannabis, the potential for misuse and dependence and the absence of specific approved indications necessitate individualized, thorough patient education and ongoing care – a process best achieved through direct consultation.
However, Reinhardt urged the governing coalition to reconsider the current classification of medicinal cannabis and reinstate it as a controlled substance. He argued that this is “essential” to enhance therapeutic safety and proactively prevent misuse, particularly concerning remote prescriptions. The decision to remove medicinal cannabis from the controlled substances act, implemented in April 2024 as part of the broader cannabis legalization process, is viewed as a misstep, according to the Medical Association president. He highlighted the stringent regulations governing controlled substances as a benchmark for ensuring responsible use.
