Becoming a Medical Cannabis Patient: 2 Ways to Get a Prescription, with Instructions

How to legally become a cannabis patient? In Germany, a doctor’s prescription is the first step. On July 10, 2026, the federal government passed the Statutory Health Insurance Contribution Rate Stabilization Act (BStabG). The new law has been in effect since July 30, 2026. The GKV no longer covers the costs of cannabis flowers. Standardized cannabis extracts and cannabis-based medications containing dronabinol or nabilone are generally reimbursed only after a six-month trial period. Medical cannabis can still be prescribed by a doctor and, if not covered by insurance, obtained with a private prescription. Patients paying out of pocket typically spend between 150 and 300 euros per month.

Two paths lead to a cannabis prescription

To become a cannabis patient in Germany, you need a doctor's prescription. This prescription is the starting point for an individually tailored medical therapy that can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Whether the route is via an inpatient doctor or online via telemedicine depends on the patient's personal needs. A medical prescription is not just a formality, but a central component of the legally safe use of cannabis as a medicine. For many patients, the first consultation with the doctor is the most important step in clarifying any unanswered questions about the therapy.

Doctors as a proven route to cannabis therapy

Many cannabis patients start their journey with a registered doctor. In Germany, all licensed doctors - with the exception of dentists and veterinarians - are allowed to issue a medical prescription for cannabis. In practice, however, it is often the case that medical specialists are more familiar with cannabis therapy than GPs. For example, neurologists for chronic pain or multiple sclerosis, psychiatrists for anxiety disorders or depression and pain therapists for treatment-resistant pain have more experience in dealing with medical cannabis. This specialization often facilitates the entire process - from the indication to the optimal adjustment of THC and CBD dosages.

Doctor on site - becoming a cannabis patient step by step

The path to cannabis therapy with an inpatient doctor can be divided into four to five steps - depending on whether the health insurance company should cover the costs or whether the patient finances the therapy themselves:

1. Medical History and Consultation
   The doctor assesses the medical criteria based on the patient’s medical history and existing test results. Previous treatments are also discussed to confirm the patient’s eligibility for medical cannabis.
2. Check with your health insurance provider to see if costs are covered (optional)
   Statutory health insurance (GKV) no longer covers the costs of cannabis flowers. Cannabis extracts and dronabinol are generally reimbursed only after a six-month trial of treatment with an approved cannabis-based medication. Patients paying out of pocket can proceed directly to having a prescription issued.
3. 
   Prescription Issuance Once approval has been granted by the health insurance provider (optional and only after six months; see Step 1) or for self-paying patients, the doctor issues the medical cannabis prescription. Since April 2024, this has usually been done via an e-prescription.
4. Start cannabis therapy
   The prescription—whether paper or electronic—can be filled at any pharmacy in Germany, including both brick-and-mortar and online pharmacies. Medical cannabis is taken in the form of drops, capsules, a spray, or via a vaporizer. To ensure availability, it’s a good idea to check with the pharmacy in advance.
5. Aftercare and adjustment
   The effect is checked at regular check-ups and the dosage is adjusted individually. Cannabis medication can be THC-dominant or CBD-dominant and in very different proportions. The cannabis varieties used with their terpene content also play a role in tolerance, meaning that aftercare and adjustment of the therapy are very important aspects of cannabis therapy.

The great advantage of inpatient doctors is the close support they provide. Cannabis patients benefit from long-term support and a higher chance of having their costs covered. One disadvantage is often long waiting times or doctors who have little experience with medical treatment.

Online - Becoming a cannabis patient step by step

Those who want to speed up the process can apply for their medical cannabis prescription online. Digital telemedicine platforms have become increasingly popular in Germany in recent years because they reduce wait times and make it easier to access medical cannabis. Many medical cannabis patients use this method, even though health insurance companies generally do not cover the costs from the outset. The online process consists of the following steps:

1. Registration and Medical History
   The patient creates a profile and fills out a medical questionnaire regarding symptoms, previous treatments, and medical findings.
2. Digital consultation (optional)
   What was standard in the past is now optional. Only a few online clinics still offer a digital consultation. In most cases, a licensed doctor checks the information from the completed questionnaire, see step 1, and issues the prescription directly if the requirements are met.
3. 
   Prescription Service If the medical indication is confirmed, the patient receives an electronic prescription. Since health insurance typically does not cover the costs, patients often pay for the treatment out of pocket. It is quite common for a refill prescription to be requested online without the need for further monitoring.
4. Starting and Monitoring Treatment
   Medical cannabis is picked up at a local pharmacy in Germany or, in many cases, delivered directly to the patient’s home via an online pharmacy. Regular follow-up appointments via video call are now more of an exception, but they help adjust THC and CBD dosages as needed.   

The advantage of online cannabis therapy is its speed. Often, you don’t need an appointment in advance; instead, you enter all your information directly online and submit it electronically. A potential drawback is that (depending on the online clinic) a separate fee may be charged for issuing the initial prescription as well as for follow-up prescriptions; the costs for this vary. If you also insist on a digital consultation with a doctor, high additional costs may result. Nevertheless, many cannabis patients use this method to begin treatment quickly.

Inpatient vs. online to become a cannabis patient in comparison

Aspect	Inpatient doctors	Online doctors (telemedicine)
Appointment allocation	Often long waiting times, several weeks	Fast appointment allocation, usually within a few days or even completely without an appointment
Assumption of costs	Possible coverage of costs for cannabis extracts and dronabinol (excluding flowers) following a six-month trial of treatment with an approved cannabis-based medication	Self-pay patients; reimbursement is unlikely
Treatment	Personal support and close follow-up care required, especially for serious illnesses	Digital accompaniment, if desired. Otherwise no personal contact
Flexibility	Locally bound, fixed practice times	Location-independent, flexible use
Prescription and pharmacy	Prescription can be redeemed at any pharmacy in Germany	Prescription is issued digitally, usually redeemed in partner or mail-order pharmacies, but in principle there is a free choice of pharmacy

Costs, pharmacy prices and health insurance companies

The cost of cannabis therapy depends heavily on the selected preparations and dosage. Flower prices vary depending on origin and quality. In German pharmacies, prices are usually between €5 and €15 per gram, sometimes also between €3.50 and €16 depending on the variety and supply. These price ranges explain why the costs, as mentioned at the beginning, are usually between €150 and €300 per month - depending on consumption and preparation mix.

Cost example: Medicinal cannabis flowers at 10 €/g each cost around 200 € for 20 g consumption per month, plus any prescription fees or shipping costs.

Conclusion

Becoming a cannabis patient in Germany is easier today than ever before. The traditional route through an in-person doctor offers personalized care and a better chance of having costs covered; however, with the entry into force of the Statutory Health Insurance Contribution Stabilization Act (BStabG), passed in June 2026, this will no longer apply to cannabis flowers. Online cannabis therapy offers the advantages of speed and flexibility, but typically requires patients to cover the costs themselves, with no exceptions. It is important for patients to work closely with their doctor to optimally adjust the medical cannabis, the THC and CBD dosages, and the course of treatment.

FAQ on Becoming a Medical Cannabis Patient