Cannabis with a prescription

Cannabis on prescription: what you should know in 2026

More and more people are looking for information about cannabis on prescription. This guide summarises the most important factual information.

Important: This page is for factual information only. It does not replace medical advice. For an assessment of your personal situation, please talk to a doctor.

Background: cannabis as medicine in Germany

Since 2017, doctors in Germany have been able to prescribe medical cannabis to patients with serious illnesses under certain conditions. The Cannabis Act of 2024 changed the legal framework further: since then, medical cannabis has been regulated in the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) and recreational cannabis in the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG). Doctors prescribe it on the basis of a medical indication.

Requirements for cannabis on prescription

Cannabis is not prescribed automatically. Typical requirements according to current medical practice:

• A serious or chronic illness with corresponding documentation
• Other treatment options have been exhausted or were not tolerated
• A well-founded medical assessment that cannabis can be used in the treatment

The final decision always lies with the treating doctor.

Preparing for the conversation with your doctor

• Document your symptoms and how they have developed (duration, limitations in daily life)
• List previous treatments and their results
• Talk openly and factually about your symptoms and previous treatments
• Bring realistic expectations: several appointments are often necessary

Forms of medical cannabis

• Cannabis flowers (the doctor decides how they are used)
• Extracts and oils
• Standardised cannabinoid preparations (for example dronabinol, nabilone)

Cost coverage by health insurance

Statutory health insurance can cover the costs, but this is not automatic. The health insurance fund decides individually after a review. If your application is rejected, you can file an objection.

After the prescription

• Document your observations and any adverse reactions and discuss them with your doctor
• Stay in regular contact with your doctor
• Only make changes to the treatment after consulting your doctor

Cannabinoids without a prescription: legal status

If you want to learn about the legal status of non-prescription cannabinoid products:

→ Cannabinoids in Germany: legal status 2026 | Vapes in the shop

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get cannabis on prescription?

This varies widely: from a few weeks to several months, depending on the doctor, the clinical picture and whether approval from the health insurance fund is needed.

Does health insurance always cover cannabis?

No. Cost coverage is not automatic and has to be applied for and approved individually.

Are there alternatives if a prescription is not possible?

If a prescription is not possible, your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you. Non-prescription cannabinoid products such as HHZ vapes or CBD products are not medicines and do not replace medical treatment. → Overview of the legal status of cannabinoids.

Is medical cannabis the same as HHZ or HHC?

No. Medical cannabis contains THC and/or CBD and is prescribed by a doctor. HHZ is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid and is currently listed neither in the BtMG nor in the NpSG annex (as of August 2026). HHC is listed in the NpSG annex and has been banned since 2024.