Medical cannabis has been legal in Germany since 2017 and is covered by public health insurance under certain conditions. However, access to medical cannabis is still limited due to strict regulations and a lack of education among healthcare providers.
To qualify for coverage under public health insurance, patients must have a serious illness that cannot be effectively treated with traditional methods. This includes conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Additionally, patients must have a prescription from a licensed physician and the cannabis must be obtained from a licensed pharmacy.
Despite these regulations, many patients still have difficulty accessing medical cannabis. One major obstacle is the lack of education among healthcare providers. Many doctors are not familiar with the medical uses of cannabis and may be hesitant to prescribe it to patients.
Another issue is the high cost of medical cannabis. While it is covered by public health insurance, patients may still have to pay out of pocket for a portion of the cost. This can be a financial burden for patients who are already struggling with the expenses of a serious illness.
