Requesting a cannabis prescription: How does the process work?
If you want to request a cannabis prescription, it helps to sort out the process clearly. In Germany, you cannot simply obtain medical cannabis "on demand," but only as part of a medically supervised therapy. In medicine, cannabis is not a lifestyle product, but a prescription drug that is used specifically when other treatment options are not sufficiently effective or are not tolerated. Whether you go through a doctor's office or use telemedicine, in the end, a doctor will decide after a medical assessment whether cannabis is appropriate and acceptable for you.
If you want to apply for a cannabis prescription, it is worth preparing in advance. The clearer your documentation and the more comprehensible your medical history, the easier it will be to assess whether a cannabis prescription is a suitable option in your case.
What exactly is medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis is a prescription drug and is only available from pharmacies. Depending on the prescription, it can come in the form of cannabis flowers, extracts, capsules, or other preparations. THC and CBD play a particularly important role in therapy. THC can have a psychoactive effect, while CBD is not usually intoxicating. The right combination for you depends on your symptoms, your diagnosis, your tolerance, and the goal of the therapy.
What requirements do you need to fulfill to obtain a cannabis prescription?
The requirements are essentially medical: a cannabis prescription is usually considered when a serious or long-term illness is present and other treatments have not been sufficiently effective or have not been tolerated. Cannabis is therefore often not the first option, but rather a possibility when standard therapies are not effective.
The individual case is always decisive. Clear information about the therapy you have already had, its effects, any side effects, and what you hope to achieve with cannabis therapy is helpful for the medical assessment.
Who is authorized to issue you a cannabis prescription in Germany?
In principle, doctors are allowed to prescribe cannabis. Whether you get the prescription from your family doctor, a specialist, or a specialized practice depends on your situation and the experience of the respective practice.
In reality, opinions onthe subject varygreatly. Some doctors have experience with cannabis therapy, while others reject it or do not consider themselves competent in this area. A rejection does not therefore automatically mean that cannabis on prescription is out of the question for you. Sometimes it is simply a matter of experience, capacity, or a different treatment strategy.
How does the traditional route through a doctor's office work?
It usually starts with an appointment with your family doctor or a specialist. During the consultation, you describe your symptoms, their progression, and what treatments you have already tried. The doctor then reviews your medical history, your current medication, and any possible risks, and decides whether a prescription for medical cannabis is medically justifiable in your case.
This sequence is typical:
- You schedule appointments at a medical practice.
- You explain the symptoms, progression, and previous treatment.
- The doctor evaluates documents, medications, and risks.
- If the decision is positive, you will receive a prescription and can redeem it at the pharmacy.
To ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, preparation is key: bring your diagnoses, test results, doctor's letters, a current list of medications, and a brief overview of what you have already tried and why it was not enough. This makes the assessment faster and more comprehensible, and often saves additional appointments.
What should you look for in terms of effectiveness, safety, and everyday use?
The effects of medical cannabis vary from person to person and depend heavily on the product, the ratio of THC to CBD, the dose, and your experience. It is advisableto start with a lowdose, especially at the beginning. This allows side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, restlessness, palpitations, or concentration problems to be identified early on so that the treatment can be adjusted accordingly.
Also, talk openly about your everyday life: work, sleep, and driving are typical topics that you don't want to leave until "later." You don't just want to start treatment, you want to integrate it safely into your everyday life. This also means knowing when to be careful and how to react if side effects occur.
Can you also get a cannabis prescription online?
It is generally possible to obtain a cannabis prescription online. The process usually involves telemedicine: you fill out an online questionnaire, provide information about your symptoms and previous treatments, and then have an initial consultation with a doctor via video or telephone. Only then will a decision be made as to whether you will receive an online prescription.
Reputable providers do not make promises such as "prescription without examination." It is a good sign if they explain transparently how the medical history, consultation, and assessment will proceed and which cases are not suitable. You will often receive information by email afterwards. It is worth keeping an eye on your email inbox, as this is where appointments, queries, or information on how to proceed will be sent.
How do you get your product with the recipe?
With a prescription, you can obtain your product from a pharmacy. Depending on the pharmacy, you can pick it up or have it delivered to your home. Whether it is available immediately depends on stock levels. If a product is not in stock, it must be ordered, which can delay the process.
In telemedicine, some providers work together with partner pharmacies. This can be practical because the process is often well established. Nevertheless, it remains important that the choice of product should match your prescription and not be driven by availability or marketing.
How much does cannabis therapy cost, and does health insurance cover it?
The costs depend greatly on whether you go through your health insurance or pay yourself. If you have statutory health insurance, approval from your health insurance company is often required before costs are covered. This can take time and there may be queries. Some patients therefore start as self-payers because it is quicker. However, you then have to bear the costs yourself.
In many cases, separate costs arise: the doctor's fee, possibly a prescription charge, and the cost of the product at the pharmacy. Ask for transparent information early on so that you know what to realistically expect.
What is the best way to proceed if you want to obtain cannabis on prescription?
Consider it a medical process, not a quick order. Gather documentation, formulate your symptoms specifically, and be open during the medical assessment. Whether you take the traditional route of making appointments at the doctor's office or use an online prescription depends on your situation. Both methods can work if the therapy, doctor, and pharmacy work together professionally.
