A byline by Michael Sassano
After touring Germany, it is clear to me that the German medical cannabis industry is now trending solidly upwards , potentially to a one billion euro market by the middle of 2025. After all, the Germans agree with the United States Department of Health and Human Services report deeming cannabis safe and a safer alternative to many existing pharmaceuticals.
The growth of the German medical cannabis market is poised to be highly profitable for the country. One billion euros of sales with a taxable 19% VAT would produce an additional 190 million euros in taxes, not to mention the additional jobs the medical cannabis market would create. There isn't a politician in the European Union who can ignore the positive impact of these taxes and increased citizen safety through regulation. In fact, most lawmakers are pushing ahead toward more access in their own countries. Big pharma distributors and telemedicine providers are paying attention to those numbers, too.
German Cannabis Laws: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
As the German medical cannabis market matures, we must continue to evaluate the policies in place to monitor future progress.
"The Ugly"
Cannabis products continue to carry unreasonably high prices, mainly brought on by an archaic rule that compound pharmacies can and must charge a 90% premium to purchased products.
The required premium also confuses the most efficient, appropriate way to register and dispense products. German pharmaceutical distribution revolves around finished dosage forms, and many are not equipped for the magisterial processes.
