{"id":3816,"date":"2026-01-15T14:35:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T14:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/?p=3816"},"modified":"2026-01-16T12:46:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T12:46:06","slug":"bundestag-offentliche-anhorung-in-der-tiefe-wohin-der-medcang-moglicherweise-steuert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/bundestag-public-hearing-in-depth-where-the-medcang-is-possibly-headed\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00d6ffentliche Anh\u00f6rung im Bundestag im Detail: Wohin sich das MedCanG m\u00f6glicherweise entwickelt"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3816\" class=\"elementor elementor-3816\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3509ea e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a3509ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fddad6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1fddad6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d5f2c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d5f2c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\ud83d\udcfa For those who missed the hearing, you can still watch the <a href=\"#watch-the-deutscher-bundestag-recording\"><strong>recording by the Deutscher Bundestag below<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udcac <strong>For English speakers<\/strong>, as the hearing was conducted in German, we have included an <strong><a href=\"#english-transcript-of-the-public-hearing\">English transcript at the bottom of this article<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to follow the discussion.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bfa556 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8bfa556\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75d1829 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75d1829\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"watch-the-deutscher-bundestag-recording\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Watch the Deutscher Bundestag recording<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2fc265 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e2fc265\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ed78be elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"0ed78be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe\r\n  src=\"https:\/\/webtv.bundestag.de\/pservices\/player\/embed\/nokey?e=bt-od&ep=69&a=144277506&c=7647312&t=https%3A%2F%2Fdbtg.tv%2Fcvid%2F7647312\"\r\n  allowfullscreen\r\n  referrerpolicy=\"origin\"\r\n  allow=\"geolocation; autoplay\"\r\n  sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-forms allow-modals allow-popups\"\r\n  style=\"width:100%; aspect-ratio:16\/9; height:auto; border:0;\">\r\n<\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba562b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ba562b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94dccf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94dccf7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Executive summary<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dd1b72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2dd1b72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"639\" data-end=\"1013\">The public hearing held on <strong>14 January 2025<\/strong> by the <strong>Bundestag\u2019s Health Committee<\/strong> marked a decisive moment for <strong>Germany\u2019s medical cannabis framework<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"639\" data-end=\"1013\">On the agenda for discussion were the Federal Government&#8217;s draft for a <strong>first law on Amendment to the Medical Cannabis Act<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/dserver.bundestag.de\/btd\/21\/030\/2103061.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BT-Drs. 21\/3061<\/a>) and the motion of the AfD parliamentary group entitled <strong>&#8220;No special role for medical cannabis&#8221;<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/dserver.bundestag.de\/btd\/21\/007\/2100773.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BT-Drs. 21\/773<\/a>).<\/p><p data-start=\"639\" data-end=\"1013\">There was <strong>no final decision or vote on the adoption or rejection of specific amendments<\/strong> to the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG), only that further changes (\u201cNachbesserungen\u201d) are considered necessary to mark a clear difference between medical and recreational cannabis.<\/p><p data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1500\">Medical associations, pharmacists, addiction experts, and law enforcement largely argued that <strong>telemedicine platforms, mail-order pharmacies, and advertising practices have weakened medical safeguards and blurred the line between therapy and recreational use.<\/strong> Conversely, patients, specialist doctors, cannabis pharmacies, and industry representatives warned that <strong>sweeping restrictions risk cutting off legitimate access, increasing costs, and pushing demand back to the illicit market.<\/strong><\/p><p data-start=\"1502\" data-end=\"1858\">For those who have followed the discussion, it is clear that quite a number of false claims or arguments with insufficient numbers to back them were offered by those supporting tighter regulation.<\/p><p data-start=\"1502\" data-end=\"1858\">Unfortunately for the medical cannabis industry and the patients it benefits, the debate <strong>suggests that Germany is heading towards tighter medical gatekeeping<\/strong>, but the precise balance between control and access remains unresolved and uncertain for now. For industry leaders, the message is clear: the next phase of Germany\u2019s medical cannabis market will <strong>prioritise medical credibility, compliance, and restraint over rapid growth.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8883023 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8883023\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd1ff26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd1ff26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Table of contents<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed8a757 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed8a757\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"#1-why-the-law-is-being-amended-misuse-vs-access\">1. Why the Law is Being Amended: Misuse vs Access<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-medical-evidence-and-prescribing-practice\">2. Medical Evidence and Prescribing Practice<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-telemedicine-safeguard-or-weak-point\">3. Telemedicine: Safeguard or Weak Point?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-mail-order-cannabis-patient-safety-or-patient-barrier\">4. Mail-Order Cannabis: Patient Safety or Patient Barrier?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-youth-protection-addiction-and-public-health\">5. Youth Protection, Addiction, and Public Health<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-crime-black-market-activity-and-law-enforcement\">6. Crime, Black Market Activity, and Law Enforcement<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7-advertising-rare-consensus-persistent-enforcement-failure\">7. Advertising: Rare Consensus, Persistent Enforcement Failure<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-the-hearing-went-and-what-to-expect-next\">How the Hearing Went and What to Expect Next\u200b<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#english-transcript-of-the-public-hearing\">English Transcript of the Public Hearing<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6010c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e6010c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87bc7e3 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"87bc7e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13ea9e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"13ea9e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97b70c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97b70c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"1-why-the-law-is-being-amended-misuse-vs-access\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Why the Law Is Being Amended: Misuse vs. Access<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c56915 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c56915\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Lawmakers and professional bodies described a system that, in their view, has <strong>drifted away from its original medical intent<\/strong>, while patient and industry representatives <strong>warned against broad measures that could unintentionally restrict legitimate care<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac0198e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ac0198e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8870326 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8870326\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01f7f6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"01f7f6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-756f058 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"756f058\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Online platforms have enabled non-medical use under the guise of therapy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Prescription growth is medically implausible at its current scale<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Weak safeguards threaten public trust in the system<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6328a05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6328a05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-628b48a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"628b48a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-102d676 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"102d676\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Misuse should be addressed through enforcement, not structural rollback<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Overcorrection harms compliant patients and providers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Demand will likely shift to the illicit market if legal access becomes harder<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5047568 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5047568\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-376b80a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"376b80a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arguments for tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fb1e29 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"2fb1e29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe federal government aims to prevent the misuse of prescriptions for medical cannabis via purely online platforms, which has been observed since the Cannabis Act came into force.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Tanja Machalet (SPD), Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc42493 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bc42493\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3852\" alt=\"Dr. Tanja Machalet \u2013 Chairwoman of the Health Committee at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-committee.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-257561f elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"257561f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists has observed a sharp increase in quantities since 2024, especially for cannabis flowers. This growth is mainly concentrated in the private prescription sector or self-pay services via the \nestablished platform models, which are the focus today. We are seeing a strong blurring between recreational cannabis use and medically indicated cannabis prescriptions.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said, Federal Union of German Pharmacists\u2019 Associations (ABDA)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf3b1dd elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"cf3b1dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cWe are dealing with a product that can help in individual cases and may be appropriate, but it is a product with psychotropic effects and dependency potential.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f9b8e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4f9b8e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-693c484 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"693c484\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arguments against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0559f9d elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"0559f9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"...patients and the entire medical sector have greatly benefited from last year\u2019s reform. For chronic patients\u2014people with proven severe conditions\u2014it is extremely important that these achievements remain and that only adjustments are made, not a complete rollback.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Michael Kambeck, German Cannabis Patients\u2019 Association (BDCan)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f263e79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f263e79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3842\" alt=\"Dr. Michael Kambeck \u2013 Bund Deutscher Cannabis-Patienten e.V. (BDCan) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cee44de elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"cee44de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cPeople are clearly seeking regulated, tested products. If legal access becomes harder again, those people will not stop using cannabis, they will simply return to the black market.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association (DHV)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17a7e59 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"17a7e59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cWe need to be careful not to create major disadvantages for patients while trying to solve a different problem.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl, Hannover Medical School<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ef1f1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0ef1f1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2001bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b2001bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"2-medical-evidence-and-prescribing-practice\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Medical Evidence and Prescribing Practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d1551b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d1551b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This part of the hearing examined whether medical cannabis is supported by sufficient scientific evidence, and whether current prescribing patterns reflect sound medical judgement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fa3b46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5fa3b46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbb9169 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cbb9169\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1f642c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1f642c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5094512 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"5094512\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Evidence remains weak for many indications, especially for cannabis flower<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Cannabis should remain an exceptional therapy of last resort<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The observed rapid prescription growth undermines medical credibility<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab43fa4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ab43fa4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7e180f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7e180f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ba5911 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3ba5911\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Experience-based medicine is common in practice; many cases exist proving its use<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Cannabis is often prescribed when conventional treatments fail, rarely as a first option<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Overregulation may discourage doctors from prescribing at all<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f00eb2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f00eb2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bcb2a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7bcb2a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Medical Associations: Evidence Remains Insufficient<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff76abc elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"ff76abc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cFrom the perspective of the German Medical Association, there is still no evidence for the necessity of using medical cannabis in treatment. It remains an individual therapeutic trial, not a standard therapy.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91b973a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"91b973a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3840\" alt=\"M.D. Klaus Reinhardt \u2013 Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BAK.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aadeb6 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"0aadeb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cA 170% increase in cannabis prescriptions within a year cannot plausibly be explained by a corresponding rise in medical indications.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab21805 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"ab21805\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cCannabis flowers are not approved medicines. They are compounded preparations with varying characteristics, and there is insufficient data to treat them like regular pharmaceuticals.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">GKV-Spitzenverband Representative<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-435feb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"435feb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4aad30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d4aad30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Clinicians: Medicine Often Operates Without Perfect Data<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe798ce elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"fe798ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"We rely a lot on experience-based medicine, but there are some established indications, and we have approved finished products. These show the main indications\u2014primarily for THC-containing cannabis medicines\u2014are nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, appetite loss in cancer, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Cannabis therapy is also well established in pain management and increasingly in palliative and oncology care. Beyond that, and this is what makes it difficult to generate evidence, there are indications that cannabis medicines can help with a wide range of conditions\u2014across all of medicine, from ophthalmology to dermatology to psychiatry. We have case reports, case series, and patient feedback that they benefit, especially when there are no better alternative \ntreatments.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl, Hannover Medical School<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3b03c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c3b03c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3856\" alt=\"Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl \u2013 Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Muller-Vahl.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22783c5 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"22783c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cCannabis medicines do carry a risk of dependence, but we know many drugs with a much higher risk.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl, Hannover Medical School<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-855c2c9 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"855c2c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cCannabis therapy is not first-line medicine. It is used when other options are exhausted, and for some patients it makes a significant difference to quality of life.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">PD Dr. Burkhard Rodeck, German Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc871fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bc871fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a367e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"82a367e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"3-telemedicine-safeguard-or-weak-point\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Telemedicine: Safeguard or Weak Point?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8be3493 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8be3493\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Telemedicine emerged as one of the most controversial topics during the public hearing, with debate centred on whether digital consultations can meet the standards required for prescribing psychotropic medicines.<\/p><p>For the most part, those who argued for tighter regulation were not opposed to telemedicine itself, they opposed the complete absence of an in-person consultation &#8211; especially for obtaining a first prescription and for periodic monitoring.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76994be elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"76994be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25356d8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25356d8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e9c409 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7e9c409\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6307717 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"6307717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Digital-only models limit diagnostic depth, and make it challenging to assess addiction and mental health risks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Questionnaire-only prescribing violates standards<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Commercial incentives could distort medical decision-making<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6e4f09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e6e4f09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa0ba63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fa0ba63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b76c2b elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"4b76c2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Telemedicine is standard across modern healthcare<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Telemedicine offsets doctor shortages and regional gaps<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Restrictions will hit rural and mobility-limited patients hardest<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5d6b0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f5d6b0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09aca34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"09aca34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Critics: Digital Models Undermine Medical Due Diligence<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-619d818 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"619d818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"In-person contact is essential to detect neglect, cognitive impairment, emerging psychosis, and so on\u2014things you can\u2019t easily spot as a pain specialist over video. So personal contact is \nimportant, and for an 'ultima ratio' treatment, frequent monitoring is necessary.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Matthias Luderer, German Society for Addiction Research and Therapy (DG-Sucht)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e58b376 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e58b376\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3854\" alt=\"Dr. Matthias Luderer \u2013 Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Luderer.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f56b92 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"2f56b92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"The most important thing is that there must be no 'prescribe and forget.' Every \ncannabis therapy is a time-limited trial with a clear goal, requiring close, personal, and \nfrequent monitoring. Two things are crucial: first, a critical review of the dose, because if it increases, that indicates tolerance and possible addiction. Second, regular attempts to discontinue, to check if the indication still exists. Simply continuing to prescribe must not happen; regular, close, and personal monitoring is necessary.\"\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Matthias Luderer, German Society for Addiction Research and Therapy (DG-Sucht)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67b0bbd elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"67b0bbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cPrescribing cannabis based solely on questionnaires is not medical practice, it is commercial practice. That violates professional standards.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Ferdinand Weis, Attorney and board member of the Cannabis Industry Association<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c83ca4f elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"c83ca4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"If telemedicine is considered, it should only be for follow-ups, when the patient is well known and there is a good therapeutic relationship.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">M.D. Ulrich Preuss \u2013 German Society for Addiction Medicine (DGS) <\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d56cf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3d56cf7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32e92a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"32e92a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Supporters: Telemedicine Is Not the Problem<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-379e3d6 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"379e3d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"There\u2019s also the question of whether prescriptions via telemedicine will still be allowed, and we really wonder how that fits into the European legal context, especially if prescriptions come from non-German doctors or platforms based elsewhere in Europe, where pharmacies are required to fill those prescriptions but have a hard time verifying if they\u2019re legitimate. That\u2019s why we\u2019re really advocating for strengthening reputable telemedicine providers in Germany\u2014those who want to care for patients via video consultations\u2014so they can offer expert advice, issue prescriptions, and take some pressure off family doctors. That way, there\u2019s no need for patients to turn to platforms based somewhere else in Europe.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dirk Heitepriem, German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ab508b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7ab508b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3848\" alt=\"Dirk Heitepriem \u2013 Branchenverband der Cannabiswirtschaft e.V. (BvCW) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dirk-Heitepriem.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39db3b0 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"39db3b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cVideo consultations with qualified identity verification are already part of standard medical care. The decision whether contact is digital or in-person should remain with the doctor... We believe that secure identity checks can ensure various safety criteria, especially for medical history, indication, and patient education about risks and contraindications. All of this is carefully documented, and follow-up is possible\u2014all digitally. \u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Antonia Menzel, Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies (BPC)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f39182f elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"f39182f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cMany patients still cannot find a local doctor willing to even discuss cannabis therapy. Telemedicine broke that bottleneck and enabled access for people who were otherwise excluded.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association (DHV)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54e8ce5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"54e8ce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65bc05c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65bc05c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"4-mail-order-cannabis-patient-safety-or-patient-barrier\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Mail-Order Cannabis: Patient Safety or Patient Barrier?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c629226 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c629226\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The proposed ban on mail-order cannabis split opinion between traditional pharmacy organisations and specialised providers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-977f4f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"977f4f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb2587c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb2587c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-471578c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"471578c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e0d7f3 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"1e0d7f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Cannabis requires in-person counselling<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Local pharmacies offer better oversight and accountability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Reducing delivery channels limits misuse<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4284535 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4284535\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c44f79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c44f79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40fd961 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"40fd961\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">It takes time for pharmacies to build up adequate expertise in medical cannabis care<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Rural and immobile patients would face access gaps without mail-order<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Costs and logistical burdens would increase without mail-order<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc0c55d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bc0c55d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d2844a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d2844a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arguments for a Mail-Order Ban<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39b09bc elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"39b09bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cMedical cannabis is a psychotropic, counselling-intensive medicine. The safest way to ensure proper use is personal counselling in a local pharmacy.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said, Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89a67a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"89a67a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3861\" alt=\"Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said \u2013 ABDA \u2013 Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverb\u00e4nde e.V. at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Andre-Said.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b19110 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"5b19110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cFrom a prevention perspective, reducing opportunities for misuse throughout the supply chain is essential, including logistics and dispensing.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Alexander Poitz, Police Union (GdP)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-777f00b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"777f00b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d70cfc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d70cfc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arguments Against the Ban<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b04efd1 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"b04efd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThere are pharmacies that have built up deep expertise in cannabis care. Expecting every local pharmacy to replicate this overnight is unrealistic.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Christiane Neubaur, Association of Cannabis-Dispensing Pharmacies (VCA)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06853ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"06853ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3858\" alt=\"Dr. Christiane Neubaur \u2013 Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V. (VCA) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Neubaur.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97a24b7 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"97a24b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cImmobile and seriously ill patients rely heavily on mail-order supply. A ban would create real gaps in care, especially in rural areas.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Christiane Neubaur, Association of Cannabis-Dispensing Pharmacies (VCA)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f97a41 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"4f97a41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"For patients, it claims there are no extra costs, but that\u2019s obviously not true\u2014if you can\u2019t have your medicine delivered, and the nearest well-stocked pharmacy is 50 or 100 kilometers away, that\u2019s extra cost.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">M.D. Franjo Grotenhermen, Working Group on Cannabis as Medicine (ACM)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-810765c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"810765c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7ed6e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7ed6e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"5-youth-protection-addiction-and-public-health\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Youth Protection, Addiction, and Public Health<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5d0e7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5d0e7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This section addressed concerns around dependency, misuse, and the impact of medical cannabis on younger demographics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63c01d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"63c01d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29223f7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"29223f7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3586f22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3586f22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca8ecbc elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"ca8ecbc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">High-THC products pose dependency risks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Younger demographics are overrepresented on platforms<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">In-person assessment is critical for prevention<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-590a135 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"590a135\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23384e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"23384e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91b22fa elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"91b22fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Restricting legal access could increases illicit use, and Illegal markets offer no youth protection<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Barriers discourage healthcare engagement<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Controlled systems are safer than exclusion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c921b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8c921b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-699b856 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"699b856\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Case for Stricter Controls<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d84f5d elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"1d84f5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cOnline platforms are attracting mainly young, male users without serious physical illnesses, often ordering high-THC flowers that are not pharmacologically justified.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Matthias Luderer, German Society for Addiction Research and Therapy (DG-Sucht)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9355619 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"9355619\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cRandomised studies show higher rates of side effects and treatment discontinuation in children and adolescents. Long-term effects remain unknown.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">PD Dr. Burkhard Rodeck, German Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ada50f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ada50f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3844\" alt=\"PD Dr. Burkhard Rodeck \u2013 Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Kinder- und Jugendmedizin e.V. (DGKJ) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DGKJ.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87f110a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"87f110a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c492898 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c492898\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Counterpoint: Over-restriction Can Backfire<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13caced elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"13caced\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cIf legal access routes disappear, people will return to the illegal market. The more illegal market we have, the less youth protection we achieve.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl, Hannover Medical School<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84b0abb elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"84b0abb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cStigma and barriers do not protect young people. They push consumption into uncontrolled spaces where there is no counselling or oversight.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Michael Kambeck, German Cannabis Patients\u2019 Association (BDCan)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3bc879 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e3bc879\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3842\" alt=\"Dr. Michael Kambeck \u2013 Bund Deutscher Cannabis-Patienten e.V. (BDCan) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BDcan.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c1692c elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"6c1692c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cIn very rare, carefully considered indications, cannabis is used for medical purposes in children and adolescents, but in standardized forms, not as flowers or flower extracts. These include treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and, even more rarely, chronic pain or conditions from the autism spectrum. I used the term \u201cvery carefully considered indication\u201d deliberately. This implies a high level of medical expertise in the relevant areas.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">PD Dr. Burkhard Rodeck, German Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd76d8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"dd76d8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f142080 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f142080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"6-crime-black-market-activity-and-law-enforcement\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Crime, Black Market Activity, and Law Enforcement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d6f76a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d6f76a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A recurring theme throughout the hearing was the relationship between medical cannabis regulation and organised crime.<\/p><p>While law enforcement representative, Alexander Poitz (GdP), argued that loopholes in the medical system enable criminal structures, others warned that restricting legal access risks strengthening the illicit market rather than weakening it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9903020 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9903020\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83c3e72 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"83c3e72\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85f7745 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"85f7745\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions in favour of tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83b04b3 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"83b04b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Tighter regulation is seen as a tool to close loopholes that criminal networks can exploit.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Online platforms complicate law enforcement and traceability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Reducing legal supply channels can limit diversion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0d890e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c0d890e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bbd285 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4bbd285\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions against tighter regulation<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f41e035 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"f41e035\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Supply restrictions strengthen black markets<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Legal access displaces criminal sales<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Oversight, not exclusion, reduces crime<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1092e1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1092e1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec75855 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec75855\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Law Enforcement: Medical Cannabis as a Criminal Opportunity<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10b961a elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"10b961a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"[The illicit market is] far from dried up. I\u2019d like to make that clear. We have seizures in the ton range\u2014very large quantities are being seized, so I can\u2019t say it\u2019s dried up. That applies to all types of cannabis included in the statistics.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Alexander Poitz, Police Union (GdP)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac97e6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac97e6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3860\" alt=\"Alexander Poitz \u2013 Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Poitz.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57074cd elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"57074cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cOnline platforms and remote prescribing models make it significantly more difficult to identify misuse, diversion, and organised criminal involvement.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Alexander Poitz, Police Union (GdP)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1928c6 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"c1928c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\" As mentioned earlier, we have a clear enforcement deficit, due to police staffing and the need for better laws. We are currently blind in the virtual space.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Alexander Poitz, Police Union (GdP)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3242ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d3242ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0cecc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0cecc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Counterargument: Legal Access Reduces Criminal Harm<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c810ef2 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"c810ef2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe idea that restricting medical cannabis will reduce organised crime is not supported by experience. Criminal markets thrive when legal access is limited.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association (DHV)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67f5b68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"67f5b68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3846\" alt=\"Georg Wurth \u2013 Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DHV.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d6f870 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"7d6f870\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cPatients who obtain cannabis legally through medical channels are not buying from criminal networks. Cutting off that access does not eliminate demand, it simply relocates it.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Michael Kambeck, German Cannabis Patients\u2019 Association (BDCan)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e50d4d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e50d4d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c48a56b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c48a56b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"7-advertising-rare-consensus-persistent-enforcement-failure\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Advertising: Rare Consensus, Persistent Enforcement Failure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fcccce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fcccce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The advertising of medical cannabis was one of the few areas where broad agreement emerged across stakeholder groups. All generally agreed that existing advertising rules are not adequately enforced.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9434da4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9434da4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aaeb97 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9aaeb97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac92d44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ac92d44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">General positions<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9e451f elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"e9e451f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Advertising medical cannabis is already generally prohibited towards the general public<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Enforcement, not legislation, is lacking<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 480 8 480c66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128 272c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32zm128 0c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Violations are deliberate and widespread<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2041016 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2041016\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b310c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b310c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shared Criticism of Enforcement Gaps<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ff7ccb elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"6ff7ccb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThere are no legal loopholes in advertising law. The problem is enforcement, not regulation.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6c9afe elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"c6c9afe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cCourts have already ruled such advertising illegal. What we are seeing is a calculated violation of the law because enforcement is weak.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Ferdinand Weis, Attorney and board member of the Cannabis Industry Association<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0a1932 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"d0a1932\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe current rules in the Medicines Advertising Act exist, but many companies still take the commercial risk and advertise anyway.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Dr. Michael Kambeck, German Cannabis Patients\u2019 Association (BDCan)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7c0616 elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"f7c0616\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\u201cAdvertising should not be visible at bus stops or online spaces frequented by children and adolescents. Existing bans must be enforced consistently.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Eva Egartner, German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS)<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f77df17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f77df17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner-1024x552.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3850\" alt=\"Eva Egartner \u2013 Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS) at the Bundestag Public Hearing on the First Act Amending the Medical Cannabis Act, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner-1024x552.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner-300x162.webp 300w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner-768x414.webp 768w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Egartner.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ab001b elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"7ab001b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"When my child leaves school in the afternoon, there are 100 other children at \nthe bus stop, and directly across from it is a kiosk with a large screen and shop window, where there is constant advertising for a cannabis platform... When medical cannabis is advertised like a movie at a bus stop, it shows what matters to \nthe providers: increasing sales.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl, Hannover Medical School<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9189389 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9189389\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0d7f06 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0d7f06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d96786 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8d96786\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25c231d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25c231d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"how-the-hearing-went-and-what-to-expect-next\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How the Hearing Went and What to Expect Next<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-169eb76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"169eb76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Overall &#8211; and being as objective as possible &#8211; the hearing reflected a <strong data-start=\"8098\" data-end=\"8127\">corrective political mood<\/strong>, not a prohibitionist one. Most speakers accepted medical cannabis as legitimate, but expressed concern that <strong data-start=\"8237\" data-end=\"8293\">commercial dynamics have outpaced medical governance, <\/strong>and all agreed that a<strong data-start=\"8237\" data-end=\"8293\"> clear distinction between medical and recreational cannabis has to be made.<\/strong><\/p><p>For those who have been following recent developments since 2024, certain moments of the hearing may have been difficult to watch due to the weak arguments and false claims from those supporting tighter regulations. We found this great article titled, <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomwell.de\/blog\/faktencheck-zu-etlichen-falschaussagen-im-gesundheitsausschuss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Fact check on several false statements in the Health Committee on 14 January 2026&#8221; written by Bloomwell<\/a> which we recommend reading.<\/p><p>So what can we expect to happen following this hearing? Basically, further parliamentary work on the draft, with <strong>potential amendments reflecting these expert concerns<\/strong>, is expected before any binding changes to medical cannabis access (telemedicine, shipping, product types) are adopted.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ccaa2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4ccaa2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c58c6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c58c6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffc Likely Outcomes<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbc7b7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbc7b7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Mandatory in-person first consultations:<\/strong> highly likely<\/li><li data-start=\"8856\" data-end=\"8928\"><p data-start=\"8858\" data-end=\"8928\"><strong>Telemedicine:<\/strong> restricted, but not eliminated<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"8929\" data-end=\"9008\"><p data-start=\"8931\" data-end=\"9008\">M<strong>ail-order ban:<\/strong> still politically contested<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"9009\" data-end=\"9125\"><p data-start=\"9011\" data-end=\"9125\"><strong>Advertising enforcement:<\/strong> expected to tighten<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d479e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d479e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffc What Industry Leaders Should Prepare For<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8719fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8719fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong data-start=\"8792\" data-end=\"8824\">Higher compliance thresholds<\/strong> for prescribing and dispensing<\/li><li data-start=\"8856\" data-end=\"8928\"><p data-start=\"8858\" data-end=\"8928\">Increased scrutiny of <strong data-start=\"8880\" data-end=\"8928\">marketing, onboarding, and patient selection<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"8929\" data-end=\"9008\"><p data-start=\"8931\" data-end=\"9008\">A shift from growth-at-scale to <strong data-start=\"8963\" data-end=\"9008\">medically defensible, lower-volume models<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"9009\" data-end=\"9125\"><p data-start=\"9011\" data-end=\"9125\">Greater importance of <strong data-start=\"9033\" data-end=\"9125\">clinical credibility, documentation, and partnerships with traditional healthcare actors<\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0201077 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0201077\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a0e3b6 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7a0e3b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40502ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"40502ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1fb7e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1fb7e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"english-transcript-of-the-public-hearing\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">English Transcript of the Public Hearing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ac8512 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"7ac8512\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"english-transcript\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> English Transcript (Click\/Tap to Expand) <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e950a66 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e950a66\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f351939 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f351939\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69b2e29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69b2e29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><em>Note: Translated from German.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Yes, a very good day to you all, esteemed ladies and gentlemen, dear viewers, distinguished experts, and respected representatives of the federal government. The State Secretary will be joining us shortly. First, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year. All the best for the year ahead, and may we all stay healthy and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.<\/p><p>We are now resuming our work for this year, and I welcome you to our first public hearing of the Health Committee, which, as always, is both an in-person and online meeting. Before we begin, I would like to ask the experts and all other participants joining us via Zoom to log in using their real names so we can properly recognize and document your participation. Also, as you all know, please keep your microphones muted for now.<\/p><p>Today\u2019s hearing concerns the federal government\u2019s draft bill for the First Act to Amend the Medical Cannabis Act, as set out in printed matter 21\/3061. There are also proposed amendments from the parliamentary group Alliance 90\/The Greens in committee printed matter 21\/1457, which are also on today\u2019s agenda. In addition, we will discuss the AfD parliamentary group\u2019s motion \u201cNo Special Role for Medical Cannabis\u201d in printed matter 21\/773.<\/p><p>Ladies and gentlemen, for the public and as background: With this draft bill, the federal government aims to prevent the misuse of prescriptions for medical cannabis via purely online platforms, which has been observed since the Cannabis Act came into force. The core of the new regulation is to introduce a ban on mail-order sales of medical cannabis and to legally require a mandatory in-person doctor-patient contact. This is intended to ensure that prescriptions are once again based on a thorough physical examination and that dispensing takes place with personal counseling at the pharmacy. The goal is to guarantee therapy safety and to better protect patients\u2019 health from the risks of uncontrolled online access.<\/p><p>The AfD\u2019s motion seeks a fundamental overhaul of the current prescription practice for medical cannabis, specifically to prevent distribution via purely digital questionnaire models without physical examination. Furthermore, medical cannabis should be subject to the regular AMNOG process for benefit assessment and price determination, to fully integrate it into the existing system of drug reimbursement and quality control.<\/p><p>Today, we want to discuss the draft bill, the proposed amendments, and the motion with you, our esteemed experts, and hear your opinions.<\/p><p>Before we begin, I need to make a few remarks about the procedure. Some of you are already experienced with hearings, others may be here for the first time. We have ninety minutes available today. These ninety minutes will be divided into several question blocks according to the strength of the parliamentary groups and an internal committee agreement. This means: the CDU\/CSU group has thirty minutes, the AfD twenty-two minutes, the SPD seventeen minutes, Alliance 90\/The Greens twelve minutes, and The Left nine minutes.<\/p><p>I ask both the questioners and the experts to keep their statements as brief as possible so that we can ask and answer as many questions as possible. The hearing is being broadcast live on parliamentary television, and the transcript will be published on the committee\u2019s website.<\/p><p>The experts participating online will appear on a video screen in the meeting room as soon as they are given the floor, and will be visible and audible. Even after you finish speaking, you may still appear on the screen until the next speaker is called.<\/p><p>I ask the experts, in accordance with Section 70, paragraph 6, sentence 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag, to disclose any financial interests related to the subject matter when first called upon. This is to make our public hearings even more transparent for both members of parliament and the public.<\/p><p>I also thank the experts who have submitted written statements; these will be published on the Bundestag\u2019s committee website.<\/p><p>A note to guests in the gallery: expressions of approval, interjections, and recording the hearing with smartphones or other devices are not permitted.<\/p><p>With all formalities taken care of, we can now begin the hearing. The first questions will be asked by the CSU parliamentary group for twelve minutes. Professor Streeck, you have the floor. Please go ahead.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Thank you very much, and also many thanks to all the experts for coming today and for your extensive written statements. As I read through the statements, several things stood out to me, so I\u2019d like to start with a general question. This is for the German Medical Association, for Mr. Reinhardt. Mr. Reinhardt, what evidence and necessity do you see, broadly speaking, for the use of medical cannabis in therapy, and how do you assess current developments in Germany?<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Klaus Reinhardt &#8211; Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/strong><br \/>From the perspective of the German Medical Association, there is still no evidence for the necessity of using medical cannabis in treatment. At least, none that has emerged from recent studies published in the last few years on this topic. Therefore, we generally consider the ability to prescribe medical cannabis at the expense of statutory health insurance to be quite problematic from a medical standpoint.<\/p><p>Accordingly, Section 31 of the Social Code Book V, regarding the ability to prescribe at the expense of statutory health insurance, is regulated so that it is considered an individual therapeutic trial, not a standardized therapy procedure that can be routinely applied and reimbursed by statutory health insurance. It is only permitted when there are very specific, individual, and special circumstances, which must be examined on a case-by-case basis.<\/p><p>Therefore, we continue to demand, as reflected in the draft law, that personal contact is a matter of medical due diligence and is absolutely essential. Only under such conditions can one consider prescribing in individual cases. In summary, there is no standardized form of evidence from our point of view.<\/p><p>I forgot to mention that I am speaking for the German Medical Association and have no financial interests. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Simone Borchardt &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Thank you very much. The next question\u2014following up on your point about in-person prescribing\u2014goes to the Cannabis Industry Association and the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies. To what extent do you consider the use of existing digital security mechanisms, such as video consultations with qualified identity verification, to be sufficient for ensuring patient safety and preventing misuse, so that the criterion of personal doctor-patient contact can be considered fulfilled?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, first Mr. Heitepriem, then Ms. Menzel. Please go ahead.<\/p><p><strong>Dirk Heitepriem &#8211; Branchenverband der Cannabiswirtschaft e.V. (BvCW)<\/strong><br \/>Thank you, Dirk Heitepriem, President of the Industry Association. I have financial interests; I represent the cannabis industry and work for a company in the sector, so I am involved. To answer your question: For us, it is crucial that patients have the option to obtain prescriptions via video consultation. If safeguards like eID, PostIdent, or similar procedures are in place, we absolutely welcome this. It creates opportunities for patients, especially those in rural areas or with limited mobility, to access prescriptions through telemedicine. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Antonia Menzel &#8211; Bundesverband pharmazeutischer Cannabinoid Unternehmen e.V. (BPC)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Antonia Menzel, Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies. I serve as chairperson on a voluntary basis for the association, but I am also employed by a medical cannabis company. That\u2019s my disclosure.<\/p><p>In principle, we consider telemedical prescription options, with qualified identity verification, to be suitable for both preventing misuse and ensuring patient care. It is important that the decision as to whether contact is in-person or digital remains at the doctor\u2019s discretion. The doctor should be free to decide whether to meet a patient in person for the first consultation or to use digital means.<\/p><p>Telemedical prescriptions are already part of standard medical care and, if medically justifiable, are permitted under professional regulations. We believe that secure identity checks can ensure various safety criteria, especially for medical history, indication, and patient education about risks and contraindications. All of this is carefully documented, and follow-up is possible\u2014all digitally. In some cases, having everything stored digitally may even be safer than seeing someone just once in person.<\/p><p>In summary, a video consultation with qualified identity verification, such as eID or VideoIdent, is a common and alternative way to ensure personal doctor-patient contact. The term \u201cpersonal\u201d should also apply to real-time video consultations. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>My next question is for the German Pharmacists\u2019 Associations. Could you describe the trends you have observed in terms of quantity and range of indications since the new regulations for medical cannabis came into effect in 2024?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s Dr. Said.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said &#8211; ABDA \u2013 Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverb\u00e4nde e.V.<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I am speaking for the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists. I have no financial interests. The Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists has observed a sharp increase in quantities since 2024, especially for cannabis flowers. This growth is mainly concentrated in the private prescription sector or self-pay services via the established platform models, which are the focus today. We are seeing a strong blurring between recreational cannabis use and medically indicated cannabis prescriptions.<\/p><p><strong>Anne Janssen &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>We view this very critically. There is a mixing of medical use and recreational use of cannabis by non-patients. I\u2019ll continue. My question is for the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and for the individual expert Professor Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl. Unlike cannabis for recreational use, there is no age limit for medical cannabis. Are cannabis flowers used for medical purposes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Rodeck, please.<\/p><p><strong>PD Dr. Burkhard Rodeck &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Kinder- und Jugendmedizin e.V. (DGKJ)<\/strong><br \/>Burkhard Rodeck, Secretary General of the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, present here, with no conflicts of interest. In very rare, carefully considered indications, cannabis is used for medical purposes in children and adolescents, but in standardized forms, not as flowers or flower extracts. These include treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and, even more rarely, chronic pain or conditions from the autism spectrum.<\/p><p>I used the term \u201cvery carefully considered indication\u201d deliberately. This implies a high level of medical expertise in the relevant areas. For epilepsy, for example, this means a pediatric neurologist who knows and follows the patient\u2019s entire course, including medication. A side note: In the Hospital Reform Adaptation Act, this pediatric neurologist is no longer included in the relevant service group, according to the current draft.<\/p><p>Personal doctor-patient contact is essential for a balanced decision for or against treatment. Randomized studies have shown that the risk of side effects, serious side effects, and therapy discontinuation due to side effects is significantly higher in children and adolescents compared to control groups. Long-term effects have not yet been studied. This must be medically monitored and controlled, as must any accompanying medication. Especially in epilepsy, there are several drugs that interact with cannabinoids, so special attention is needed. Only a true expert can handle this\u2014not just any doctor. I want to make that very clear. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. M\u00fcller-Vahl.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>Yes, Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl. I work as a doctor and researcher at Hannover Medical School and have potential conflicts of interest because I have been working on cannabis medicine for almost 30 years, giving lectures and advising companies.<\/p><p>Regarding children and adolescents, I fully agree with my predecessor. In rare and well-checked indications, we also treat children, because they can be very seriously ill and sometimes have no other treatment options. But this really belongs in the hands of an expert. As for medical cannabis flowers in children, I would say generally not. I wouldn\u2019t say never 100 percent\u2014over my long career, I have heard of one case where it worked, though I was not the prescribing doctor. I have never done it myself, but I wouldn\u2019t rule out that there could be a rare case where it is the only thing that helps and is medically justifiable. So it is an exceptional therapy, and we would always first use other cannabis medications if we choose that route.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, further questions?<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Matthias Hiller &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Yes, my question is for the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Therapy. It has already been mentioned that medical cannabis is prescribed and dispensed online. What do you know about the group of people who obtain medical cannabis this way?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Matthias Luderer &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht)<\/strong><br \/>Thank you for the question. Matthias Luderer from the German Society for Addiction Research. I have no financial ties to the cannabis industry. I\u2019d like to start with a personal experience: When my child leaves school in the afternoon, there are 100 other children at the bus stop, and directly across from it is a kiosk with a large screen and shop window, where there is constant advertising for a cannabis platform. This is the reality: between the schoolyard and the school bus, highly potent substances are presented as lifestyle products.<\/p><p>When medical cannabis is advertised like a movie at a bus stop, it shows what matters to the providers: increasing sales. We see this reflected in the data. There is a clear shift. The classic medical cannabis patient is seriously ill, multimorbid, older. But on online platforms and with private prescriptions, it is mainly a young, male clientele without serious physical illnesses. They also order high-THC flowers more often, which is not always pharmacologically justified. I think this is mostly recreational use under the guise of medical therapy.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now it\u2019s the AfD\u2019s turn for nine minutes. Ms. Schie\u00dfel, please.<\/p><p><strong>Carina Schie\u00dfel &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you for being here today. My first question is for the GKV Central Association and the German Center for Addiction Issues. The draft law notes a clear negative trend in imports and prescriptions. Do you agree that this is not just a matter of prescription practice, but reflects a structural special status for medical cannabis outside regular drug evaluation, and therefore requires further reforms? If so, which ones?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That would be Ms. Maser for the GKV Central Association, then Ms. Egartner, who is online, for the German Center for Addiction Issues. Please go ahead.<\/p><p><strong>Corinna Maser &#8211; GKV-Spitzenverband\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>My name is Corinna Maser. I am from the GKV Central Association and have no financial interests in this draft law. To your question: I think you are asking whether cannabis should be treated like any other medicine and subjected to the AMNOG process. We have to say that the approval situation is different from regular medicines. Cannabinoid-containing finished medicines have approvals and have gone through the AMNOG process, but medical cannabis, especially cannabis flowers, do not have drug approval, and the underlying evidence is still mixed.<\/p><p>Legally, we are dealing with individual therapeutic trials, and therapy decisions are mainly made by doctors and patients. Cannabis flowers are not finished medicines; they are prescribed and dispensed as compounded or extemporaneous preparations and are available in various varieties. The scientific literature assumes they are not equivalent\u2014cannabis flower is not just cannabis flower. There are not enough studies on these differences. The variety of strains creates further challenges for evaluation; you would need a separate AMNOG assessment for each strain or extract, which would mean a huge number of procedures, each with significant methodological challenges\u2014choosing the therapeutic area, the evidence, and especially the comparator therapies. The AMNOG process does not seem suitable for this issue.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Ms. Egartner, please.<\/p><p><strong>Eva Egartner &#8211; Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Eva Egartner, German Center for Addiction Issues. I also have no financial conflicts of interest. I can\u2019t make a statement for the Center on this. But I agree with the previous speaker that more research is needed; the research situation should be expanded. Otherwise, it is important to us that sick people have access to the medicines they need, including medical cannabis, and that a doctor\u2019s contact is absolutely necessary\u2014we see and support that. That\u2019s all we can say. We also think that advertising control is important, as a previous speaker said\u2014that advertising should be stopped in this area. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Please go ahead, Mr. Bloch.<\/p><p><strong>Joachim Bloch &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>I\u2019ll continue. My question is for the Police Union. Do you agree that protecting health and preventing misuse would justify stricter national restrictions than the current draft law provides?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Poitz, please.<\/p><p><strong>Alexander Poitz &#8211; Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP)<\/strong><br \/>Alexander Poitz, Deputy Chairman, Police Union. We have no financial interests in this topic. We are a bit of an outlier in this round, so forgive me for not giving a medical assessment, but at least a police perspective: We basically support the federal government\u2019s draft law, though we have some minor comments based on police experience.<\/p><p>We have two approaches in police work: prosecution and, most importantly, prevention. We want to prevent dangers, which means avoiding opportunities for crime throughout the process\u2014logistics, forgery, and misuse. We agree with previous speakers that we want a concrete doctor-patient contact first, and only as a second step a digital option.<\/p><p>Currently, the situation is very ambivalent. Why? Because drug-related crime is booming. Cannabis is the most consumed and most traded intoxicant, both under the recreational and medical cannabis laws. Online platforms and advertising are increasing, as are demand and consumption. But that\u2019s the police perspective.<\/p><p>We support scalable and balanced regulations\u2014considering consumption behavior and the need for rules. The medical purpose must not be neglected, but we must also monitor the black market, which is booming. Two-thirds of organized crime is in drug crime, and we\u2019re talking about a triple-digit billion-euro market. I hope I\u2019ve answered your question.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Ms. Schie\u00dfl, please.<\/p><p><strong>Carina Schie\u00dfel &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Yes, I have another question for the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Therapy. Is the consultation frequency proposed in the draft\u2014once per quarter or once per four quarters\u2014sufficient to reliably detect addiction developments?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Luderer.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Matthias Luderer &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht)<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s a good question. Basically, we would recommend more frequent consultations. Cannabis is a drug that can cause dependence and is prone to misuse, so medical due diligence is essential. Even medical cannabis carries a risk of dependence, so it\u2019s important to pay attention.<\/p><p>Especially for risk groups\u2014under 25s or people with psychiatric conditions\u2014a thorough check is needed, and personal doctor contact is important, not just via webcam. In-person contact is essential to detect neglect, cognitive impairment, emerging psychosis, and so on\u2014things you can\u2019t easily spot as a pain specialist over video. So personal contact is important, and for an \u201cultima ratio\u201d treatment, frequent monitoring is necessary.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. That was right on time. Now we move to the SPD group for eight minutes. Dr. Pantazis, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christos Pantazis &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to the experts for the opportunity to discuss the law with you today. My first question is for the German Cannabis Patients\u2019 Association. In the last legislative period, the Medical Cannabis Act brought a necessary change in risk assessment for medical cannabis, making patient access much easier. At the same time, we see some uncontrolled growth online, which the current draft aims to address. How do you assess the proposed regulations from the perspective of patient care?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Kambeck, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Michael Kambeck &#8211; Bund Deutscher Cannabis-Patienten e.V. (BDCan)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>My name is Michael Kambeck. I have no conflicts of interest. Basically, we welcome the clearer separation and re-regulation, which is urgently needed. At the same time, patients and the entire medical sector have greatly benefited from last year\u2019s reform. For chronic patients\u2014people with proven severe conditions\u2014it is extremely important that these achievements remain and that only adjustments are made, not a complete rollback.<\/p><p>The main adjustment is the personal doctor contact, which we explicitly support, even though it means our members and other patients may have to travel in person, which is difficult for many. But overall, the harm to medical cannabis as a whole would be greater if we didn\u2019t do this, including increased stigma.<\/p><p>This does not apply to other measures\u2014returning to the Narcotics Act would be terrible and disproportionate. The main issue is advertising. The current rules in the Medicines Advertising Act exist, but many companies still take the commercial risk and advertise anyway. We urgently call for profit skimming\u2014only then will it not be worth breaking the law. Otherwise, the main problem is advertising, and it must be addressed, or everything else will fall short. As for the personal doctor contact, we support it. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Mr. Mieves, please.<\/p><p><strong>Matthias Mieves &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Good day from me as well. My first question is for Professor M\u00fcller-Vahl. What medical criteria, in your view, justify stricter regulation of medical cannabis compared to, for example, sleeping pills, sedatives, painkillers, or certain over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen 400, which have proven dependency and sometimes life-threatening risks?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. M\u00fcller-Vahl, please.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>Yes, I think cannabis medicines have become part of care\u2014not widespread, but for many who use them more often. Cannabis medicines do carry a risk of dependence, but we know many drugs with a much higher risk. So I don\u2019t think we need special rules for a specific drug. As the previous speaker said, we shouldn\u2019t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We don\u2019t want to change medical care, and I don\u2019t see a real need. We just want to prevent recreational users from obtaining cannabis via telemedicine platforms. So we need to be careful not to create major disadvantages for patients while trying to solve a different problem.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Please continue.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christos Pantazis &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>My next question is also for Professor M\u00fcller-Vahl. Patients who rely on medical cannabis often have serious illnesses. Could you describe the typical conditions and the monthly need for medical cannabis in these patient groups?<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s the special thing about medical cannabis. We\u2019ve heard\u2014and I fully agree\u2014that evidence is lacking in many areas. If we look back, I\u2019ve said this in previous hearings: we need more evidence. We still don\u2019t have it, and I fear we\u2019ll be saying the same thing in ten years.<\/p><p>We rely a lot on experience-based medicine, but there are some established indications, and we have approved finished products. These show the main indications\u2014primarily for THC-containing cannabis medicines\u2014are nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, appetite loss in cancer, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Cannabis therapy is also well established in pain management and increasingly in palliative and oncology care.<\/p><p>Beyond that, and this is what makes it difficult to generate evidence, there are indications that cannabis medicines can help with a wide range of conditions\u2014across all of medicine, from ophthalmology to dermatology to psychiatry. We have case reports, case series, and patient feedback that they benefit, especially when there are no better alternative treatments.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Another question? Please.<\/p><p><strong>Matthias Mieves &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>The next question is for the Working Group on Cannabis as Medicine, who are online. How do you assess the draft law, especially the proposed ban on mail-order sales?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Grotenhermen, please.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Franjo Grotenhermen &#8211; Arbeitsgemeinschaft Cannabis als Medizin e.V. (ACM)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Thank you for the question. Franz-Josef Grotenhermen, Working Group on Cannabis as Medicine. There are two issues: the mail-order ban and the reduction of telemedicine activities.<\/p><p>Regarding the mail-order ban, I don\u2019t see a real reason for it. The law says it\u2019s to increase pharmacist counseling, but also says there\u2019s no increased workload for pharmacists. For patients, it claims there are no extra costs, but that\u2019s obviously not true\u2014if you can\u2019t have your medicine delivered, and the nearest well-stocked pharmacy is 50 or 100 kilometers away, that\u2019s extra cost.<\/p><p>As for telemedicine, I personally invite all my patients for an in-person conversation. I\u2019ve found that personal meetings are better than pure telemedicine. I opened a practice in 2012 because many patients couldn\u2019t find a doctor willing to deal with this topic. That\u2019s still the case today. So reducing telemedicine will restrict access to cannabis care.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>I\u2019m afraid your time is up. Maybe we can discuss this further in the next round. Now it\u2019s Alliance 90\/The Greens for five minutes. Please go ahead.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>Yes, thank you. My first question is also for Professor M\u00fcller-Vahl. What role do you see for quality-assured telemedicine models in the provision of medical cannabis, and what would be the consequences of excluding these models entirely?<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>I think we are making slow but steady progress with digitalization in Germany, and that\u2019s important. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s an either-or, but rather both-and. Every doctor must decide in each case: do I need to see the patient in person, or can I use telemedicine? We also have phone contacts, and that\u2019s sometimes appropriate.<\/p><p>This is a matter of medical autonomy and decision-making. Is it a minor issue I can handle by phone, or do I need to see the patient in person? That depends less on the type of medication and more on the illness, its complexity, whether the patient is chronically ill, compliant, and so on. But in general, I would always say that every seriously, chronically, and complexly ill patient should be seen in person first before deciding on appropriate therapy. And cannabis is often not the only therapy\u2014there are other medications and non-drug therapies to consider.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I\u2019d like to ask the German Medical Association about advertising, which has been mentioned as a problem. We Greens see this too, not just for medical cannabis but also for other prescription drugs\u2014there is still advertising, and legal loopholes are being exploited. You mentioned this in your statement. Do you see concrete ways to close these loopholes, or what would you like to see to counter this advertising?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Reinhardt, please.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Klaus Reinhardt &#8211; Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/strong><br \/>Thank you very much for the question. From our perspective, there are no legal loopholes. Section 10, paragraph 2, sentence 1 of the Medicines Advertising Act applies to drugs with psychotropic substances that can cause dependence and are intended to treat insomnia or mental disorders or influence mood. Advertising is only allowed to professionals\u2014doctors, dentists, etc.\u2014not to the general public.<\/p><p>The issue is enforcement of violations of the Medicines Advertising Act, which is not happening enough for whatever reason. If it were enforced, I think the problem could be addressed. Still, it remains an expression of industrial marketing, mainly aimed at increasing sales rather than helping patients who truly need cannabis treatment.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Please continue.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>I have another question for the German Center for Addiction Issues. We Greens also see it as a problem that this law will treat medical cannabis differently from other drugs, even though other drugs also have high dependency potential and risks. Can you tell us about medication dependence in Germany and which substances are particularly dangerous?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<br \/><\/strong>Ms. Egartner, please.<\/p><p><strong>Eva Egartner &#8211; Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s not easy to answer quickly, but of course there are other substances that cause dependence. I agree with the previous speaker: advertising bans should be enforced more strictly. Everything in the area of sleeping pills and painkillers has already been mentioned. There are high numbers of unreported cases of medication dependence, as we often hear. More evidence is needed here as well.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now The Left, with four plus one, so five minutes. Mr. G\u00fcrpinar.<\/p><p><strong>Ates G\u00fcrpinar &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Thank you for allowing us to ask questions at this hearing and for your advice and support. Thank you also for the written submissions. The first question is for Mr. Wurth from the Hemp Association. Rather than focusing on criticism, I\u2019d like to look ahead: What measures does the German Hemp Association believe are needed to push back the illegal cannabis market and ensure the supply of medical cannabis?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Wurth, please.<\/p><p><strong>Georg Wurth &#8211; Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV)<\/strong><br \/>Yes, Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association. I represent the interests of private supporting members and donors, and am paid by them, so that\u2019s my financial interest.<\/p><p>First, I want to stress that among the thousands of new people with prescriptions, there are far more patients than some here assume. I can confirm what Mr. Grotenhermen said: doctor\u2019s offices are a bottleneck. Many doctors are not willing to prescribe cannabis or even consider it. It\u2019s a lot of research work that no one pays for. For years, we\u2019ve heard from people who call every doctor in town and can\u2019t find anyone willing to discuss it, even though they have had good personal experiences.<\/p><p>Patients with less severe illnesses are still patients\u2014just like someone who buys ibuprofen 400 for a headache at the pharmacy is a patient, or a woman who uses cannabis for menstrual pain and nothing else is still a patient, even if it\u2019s not a severe condition.<\/p><p>This bottleneck was broken by telemedicine, so many with real medical needs can now get what they need, and online pharmacy prices make it affordable compared to the past, when a gram of cannabis cost over twenty euros at the pharmacy.<\/p><p>Of course, there are also recreational users among the new patients. We see this as a sign that people want tested quality, not adulterated or synthetic cannabinoids, and want regulated access, especially if they can\u2019t grow their own at home.<\/p><p>If we now restrict things as planned, we\u2019re talking about pushing up to two hundred tons of cannabis back onto the black market, with a turnover likely exceeding a billion euros, and losing over a hundred million euros in VAT alone. Everything would go back to the black market.<\/p><p>We also don\u2019t think cannabis as a recreational drug belongs in pharmacies, but in specialty stores. If you don\u2019t want regular users\u2014who aren\u2019t mainly sick\u2014going to pharmacies or doctors and online platforms, then please create a legal access route for cannabis. I\u2019m thinking especially of the pilot projects for cannabis distribution, like those proposed in Frankfurt and Hanover, which have not yet been approved. We now know cannabis users are not morally reprehensible\u2014it\u2019s like drinking beer. But the realization is growing that it has to come from somewhere, and there must be legal access. If there\u2019s no other way, people will use telemedicine. Let\u2019s prevent that by moving forward with specialty stores.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. G\u00fcrpinar, please.<\/p><p><strong>Ates G\u00fcrpinar &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. My next question is for the Federal Union of German Pharmacists\u2019 Associations. It\u2019s been suggested that if cannabis is seen as a medicine, other medicines should also be considered when it comes to addiction issues, etc. The Greens\u2019 question earlier was for the Center for Addiction Issues, but I\u2019d like to ask you as the pharmacists\u2019 association: Do you think it\u2019s contradictory to implement a mail-order ban only for medical cannabis? Do you agree that there should be a uniform regulation for all such medicines?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Said.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said &#8211; ABDA \u2013 Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverb\u00e4nde e.V.<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. We are discussing the mail-order ban here, especially in connection with the platforms. Overall, it is well known that for the Federal Union of German Pharmacists\u2019 Associations, a mail-order ban on medicines is the most effective means of ensuring patient safety. It\u2019s about individual patient counseling at the local pharmacy, pharmaceutical advice, and safe dispensing of medicines. Therefore, we see the mail-order ban as the most effective measure for patient safety in this context.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. That was the first round. Now we move to the second, shorter round. Each group has four minutes. The CDU\/CSU group begins. Professor Streeck, please.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. My question is again for the German Medical Association. The aim of the MedKangG amendment is to clearly separate medical care from the use of MedKangG as a tactical procurement route for recreational cannabis, which we suspect is happening. How do you assess the measures in the draft law, especially the mandatory in-person first contact and the restrictions on mail-order sales?<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Klaus Reinhardt &#8211; Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/strong><br \/>Yes, first\u2014<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Ah yes, Dr. Reinhardt.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Klaus Reinhardt &#8211; Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/strong><br \/>Klaus Reinhardt for the Medical Association. Thank you for the question. I would say that the fact that in 2024 we have seen a 170 percent increase in cannabis prescriptions, mainly private prescriptions\u2014only nine percent are statutory health insurance prescriptions\u2014is, in our view, [unintelligible], because this use or circumvention [unintelligible] of medical cannabis, which is supposed to be for patients only, may happen in individual cases, but I find it implausible that the number of indications for individually prescribed cannabis therapy has increased so much. That seems completely unrealistic to me.<\/p><p>We are talking about medical cannabis, not recreational use or use by adults who want to consume it legally\u2014that\u2019s a different issue. When it comes to medical cannabis, we are dealing with a product that can help in individual cases and may be appropriate, but it is a product with psychotropic effects and dependency potential.<\/p><p>So, from a medical professional perspective, personal, individual care and treatment of patients is essential, also in terms of our professional regulations. Therefore, personal contact is a sine qua non for prescribing a cannabis product. That\u2019s the first point. The second is that, for me, the same applies to tranquilizers and other potentially addictive drugs for sleep disorders\u2014they should be used with great caution and rationality, if at all. And I also think they do not belong in mail-order sales. From a medical perspective, it would be completely inappropriate for such drugs to be distributed by mail.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<br \/><\/strong>Thank you. Who\u2019s next? Professor Hiller.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Matthias Hiller &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>My question is for the ABDA. You have already made it clear that you support a mail-order ban. To what extent are your pharmacy structures prepared to ensure supply if mail-order sales are discontinued?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Said, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Andr\u00e9 Said &#8211; ABDA \u2013 Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverb\u00e4nde e.V.<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. In our view, the measures in the draft law\u2014mail-order ban for medical cannabis\u2014are appropriate and do not in any way reduce access for seriously ill or immobile patients. Why? We have a network of local public pharmacies. We have pharmacy delivery services, carried out by pharmacy staff, which guarantee individual pharmaceutical counseling, therapy support, and safe dispensing of medical cannabis as a psychotropic, high-risk, and counseling-intensive medicine. We see no interruption in supply for patients, even immobile ones, and see the pharmacy delivery service as a key feature.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, Ms. Dr. Baum for the AfD group.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christina Baum &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I have a question for the German Center for Addiction Issues. When I was in the Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg state parliament from 2016 to 2021, we regularly had school classes visit, and I was always asked why we as the AfD are against cannabis. I always replied: we are against recreational use, not medical use. I would then ask: why do you want to escape reality, why do you want to use intoxicants in the best Germany ever? So my question: Could it be that social circumstances, fears about the future, etc., play a role in why people use this stuff recreationally? Is this discussed? Are we getting to the root of the problem? Again, we\u2019re not talking about medical cannabis, since we\u2019ve heard that much of the increase is due to recreational use.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Ms. Egartner, please.<\/p><p><strong>Eva Egartner &#8211; Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS)<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s a very broad question, and as you said, it\u2019s more about the recreational cannabis law. The German Center for Addiction Issues is not responsible for evaluating why people use recreational or addictive substances; it\u2019s always an individual decision. For us, it\u2019s important that people who use are not criminalized. Both laws are a step in the right direction: allowing sick people to use medical cannabis, and allowing recreational users to use cannabis under the recreational law. People have used recreational and addictive substances for thousands of years. For those who go down the wrong path, we need to provide the right help, and we need enough knowledge about everything. That\u2019s all I can say.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. You have one minute left.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christina Baum &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. The same question for the German Society for Addiction Medicine. Surely it\u2019s in our interest as a society to limit this trend, not just accept it. Especially regarding young people and advertising, which I wasn\u2019t aware of. Shouldn\u2019t we as a society do something to reduce addiction, not just let it increase? Are the causes discussed? Do young people say why they use it? I\u2019d like to know.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Professor Dr. Preuss, please.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Ulrich Preuss &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtmedizin e.V. (DGS)<\/strong><br \/>German Society for Addiction Medicine. I am biased because I prescribe medical cannabis for selected indications. The question is a bit off-topic, since we\u2019re talking about medical cannabis, not recreational use. But it is part of addiction prevention, and in every consultation with affected people, we discuss the causes and try to treat them, and also prevent use from leading to risk and illness.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now it\u2019s the SPD\u2019s turn. Four minutes. Dr. Pantazis, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christos Pantazis &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you, Madam Chair. My question is for the individual expert Dr. Weis. Dr. Weis, how should abusive prescriptions and the relevant online platforms be assessed under current law, especially in terms of pharmaceutical and advertising law? There is already relevant case law in the area of the Medicines Advertising Act. Do we have an enforcement problem?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Ferdinand Weis (Anwalt)<\/strong><br \/>My name is Dr. Ferdinand Weis, attorney at Dr. Engelhardt, Wagner &amp; Colleagues and on the board of the Cannabis Industry Association. I represent clients from the cannabis industry who pay me, so I have financial interests.<\/p><p>As previous speakers have said, medical cannabis is prescription-only, and advertising for prescription drugs is prohibited. According to Section 10 of the Medicines Advertising Act, you can only advertise to professionals\u2014doctors and pharmacists. In practice, we still see very aggressive advertising violations, especially by telemedicine platforms. Cannabis is advertised with promises like \u201cGet your online prescription in minutes,\u201d for example for sleep disorders or back pain, with glowing patient testimonials.<\/p><p>Courts have already ruled such advertising illegal, as it focuses on sales rather than sober, factual information. As for telemedicine, advertising for remote treatment is generally prohibited under Section 9 of the Medicines Advertising Act, with exceptions only if professional standards are met and personal contact is not required. Remote treatment is only allowed under medical professional law if there are no disadvantages and professional standards are met. With cannabis, that is often not the case\u2014for example, if a patient with back pain appears, whom I might need to examine physically. As a doctor, I don\u2019t have all my senses available.<\/p><p>What is definitely not allowed is prescribing solely based on a questionnaire, without a consultation. That violates professional standards due to the risk of side effects and addiction. So, the problem is not regulatory, but a calculated violation of the law, or an enforcement deficit of existing laws. This is not unique to cannabis; similar problems occur with other prescription drugs, like weight-loss injections, which are also heavily advertised and prescribed online. We have already seen case law on this, for example from the Munich Regional Court.<\/p><p>Abuse can also occur with other drugs, like sleeping pills, which also carry significant risks. Authorities could intervene and stop violations, but they don\u2019t. Unlike the recreational cannabis area, where advertising bans are enforced, we only see competition law cases, mainly by pharmacy chambers, not by authorities. In my opinion, if we addressed the enforcement deficit, we could largely get abuse under control without unduly restricting patient rights.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Ms. Heitmann for The Greens, please.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I\u2019d like to ask Professor Dr. M\u00fcller-Vahl: If the changes to the Medical Cannabis Act proposed by the federal government were to pass the Bundestag and become law, what risks do you see for youth and health protection in the future?<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>Several previous speakers have said that people who want to use cannabis will do so, and I don\u2019t think any law in the world can prevent that. If we look back, we see that moving away from prohibition has led people to prefer and seek legal access routes. The first results of the EcoQian study from Hamburg and a survey by Professor Werse from Frankfurt show this. People want and use legal access routes. At the moment, unfortunately\u2014and we all agree on this\u2014this is happening via telemedicine platforms, which is not what we want. If we stop this, people will continue to use cannabis and will return to the illegal market. That\u2019s clear and obvious, because that\u2019s where we came from. I would always say: the more illegal market, the less youth protection. So, in my view, this is the wrong approach if we want to prioritize youth protection.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Another question for the German Hemp Association. You said earlier that there are more patients among those obtaining cannabis online than some might think. We Greens have proposed an amendment to reform the \u201cexhausted all other options\u201d criterion. Do you think this would improve and change prescribing practice, so that real patients could better access medical cannabis through regular medical channels?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Wurth, please.<\/p><p><strong>Georg Wurth &#8211; Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV)<\/strong><br \/>Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a decisive point, because for private prescriptions\u2014which is what telemedicine is mainly about\u2014the \u201cexhausted all other options\u201d criterion doesn\u2019t apply, nor does the criterion of serious illness. So it won\u2019t have much impact.<\/p><p>What matters are the health insurance criteria, which are still very restrictive with cannabis as medicine\u2014not just for minor illnesses, but even for serious ones. We keep seeing media reports of people with cancer and severe pain who get nothing from their insurance. I personally know cases of people with irritable bowel syndrome who are emaciated and get nothing from their insurance. We need to address this, and that\u2019s why insurance reimbursement hasn\u2019t kept up with increased demand\u2014they mainly reimburse for pain, and for everything else, they resist and only respond to lawsuits.<\/p><p>So, for statutory health insurance, it makes sense to consider such things. The \u201cexhausted all other options\u201d rule doesn\u2019t make sense now that cannabis is more widely available\u2014requiring pain patients to try opiates first, for example, is something that should be abolished, but really with a view to statutory health insurance, not all prescriptions.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, thank you. I think the remaining nine seconds aren\u2019t worth using. Right. We have three more in the next round. Mr. G\u00fcrpinar for The Left, please.<\/p><p><strong>Ates G\u00fcrpinar &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I\u2019ll start and then hand over to Dr. Arndt. First, another question for Georg Wurth from the Hemp Association. Maybe a step back, because it seems as if everyone is already adequately supplied with medical cannabis. You\u2019ve already hinted at this, but specifically: Can patients currently get adequate cannabis treatment in local doctors\u2019 offices?<\/p><p><strong>Georg Wurth &#8211; Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV)<\/strong><br \/>Georg Wurth, German Hemp Association. Local doctors\u2019 offices are definitely not able to meet the demand for medical cannabis at the moment. As I said, people contact us and call every doctor in town. To this day, as Mr. Grotenhermen said, this bottleneck exists, and restricting telemedicine would bring it back. People would again have to call every doctor, while at the same time there is talk of introducing a doctor\u2019s fee to reduce contacts because doctors are overwhelmed. That makes no sense to me. So telemedicine platforms are a good alternative, especially since they are knowledgeable and provide advice. It\u2019s not as if they refuse to advise. You deal with a doctor in an online consultation who knows about cannabis, while family doctors often have no idea and refuse to discuss it. They\u2019ll prescribe painkillers, opiates, Ritalin for ADHD, but not cannabis.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Dr. Arndt, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Michael Arndt &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>Yes. Dr. Michael Arndt. I am a family doctor and treat some patients with cannabis. I have a question for Mr. Poitz from the Police Union. You said earlier that the drug market is booming, and it sounded as if cannabis has also boomed illegally since legalization, which contradicts Mr. Reinhardt\u2019s statement that private prescriptions have shifted cannabis from the black market to the legal market. Do you have figures on how the cannabis black market has developed?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Poitz, please.<\/p><p><strong>Alexander Poitz &#8211; Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP)<\/strong><br \/>Alexander Poitz, Police Union. I can\u2019t comment on Mr. Reinhardt\u2019s figures. What I can comment on is the police crime statistics and the Federal Criminal Police Office\u2019s drug crime report. These clearly show that cannabis is the most consumed and most traded intoxicant in Germany and will likely remain so because the market is booming. This does not refer exclusively to medical cannabis; the statistics cover all cannabis, both recreational and medical.<\/p><p>So, to answer your question: I can\u2019t provide figures specifically for medical cannabis. But the trend in the black market is clear\u2014two-thirds of organized crime is drug crime, and cannabis accounts for two-thirds of drug offenses. The numbers are clear about where the money is made. The market is determined by price and demand, and the black market is still very large. But the criticism of the recreational cannabis law is clear. As for medical cannabis, we support the measures. However, regarding telemedicine and the initial doctor contact, we agree that we need to improve enforcement of the advertising ban. As mentioned earlier, we have a clear enforcement deficit, due to police staffing and the need for better laws. We are currently blind in the virtual space. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Michael Arndt &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>May I briefly add something?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Very briefly.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Michael Arndt &#8211; Die Linke<\/strong><br \/>Because drugs and cannabis are being mixed up again. Sure, it\u2019s a narcotics offense, but there are, for example, 3,000 fewer narcotics offenses, and hard drugs are on the rise, as is generally known. In my opinion, the black market is being dried up by medical cannabis\u2014by self-medication, people who used to grow or buy illegally. Or at least, that\u2019s the trend.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That was longer than brief. Please, very short answers.<\/p><p><strong>Alexander Poitz &#8211; Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP)<\/strong><br \/>It\u2019s far from dried up. I\u2019d like to make that clear. We have seizures in the ton range\u2014very large quantities are being seized, so I can\u2019t say it\u2019s dried up. That applies to all types of cannabis included in the statistics.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now we move to block three. That\u2019s the CDU\/CSU group for ten minutes. Ms. Borchardt, please.<\/p><p><strong>Simone Borchardt &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. My question is for the Association of Cannabis-Supplying Pharmacies. Are you present? Perhaps you could comment on the mail-order ban as formulated in the law.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Neubaur, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christiane Neubaur &#8211; Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V. (VCA)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Thank you for the question. The Association of Cannabis-Supplying Pharmacies is very critical of the mail-order ban. There are local German pharmacies with mail-order licenses that specialize in supplying medical cannabis. This requires a high level of expertise, which is not readily available in every local pharmacy and would have to be built up from scratch.<\/p><p>It\u2019s about drug interactions, multimorbid patients with multiple medications, and cannabis as an add-on. This requires proper assessment by the pharmacy and pharmacist caring for the patient. It will be difficult for every local pharmacy to provide this. We also have a massive decline in the number of pharmacies, and in rural areas, there are sometimes no pharmacies at all. This would force immobile patients to travel long distances to get their medicine, which is unacceptable. Delivery services can\u2019t make up for this, as they are only viable within a 10- or maybe 20-kilometer radius. Sometimes delivery is arranged by phone, with counseling over the phone, and then the medicine is delivered. So there\u2019s little difference.<\/p><p>Pharmacies that specialize in cannabis are very experienced in counseling and provide telepharmaceutical or telephone counseling. They are deeply involved in the subject and spend a lot of time with patients, ensuring patient safety. I don\u2019t see every local pharmacy being able to do this.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Professor Streeck, please?<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Just briefly, because it was mentioned earlier: The EcoCan report says nothing about a reduction in the black market so far due to medical cannabis, but we\u2019re not talking about recreational cannabis here. I have a question for the Society for Addiction Research and Therapy, and perhaps also the German Society for Addiction Medicine. What requirements would you set for follow-up monitoring to ensure that treatment with medical cannabis is medically appropriate and addiction risks are minimized?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That would be Dr. Luderer and Professor Preuss. Please go ahead.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Matthias Luderer &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht)<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. The most important thing is that there must be no \u201cprescribe and forget.\u201d Every cannabis therapy is a time-limited trial with a clear goal, requiring close, personal, and frequent monitoring. Two things are crucial: first, a critical review of the dose, because if it increases, that indicates tolerance and possible addiction. Second, regular attempts to discontinue, to check if the indication still exists. Simply continuing to prescribe must not happen; regular, close, and personal monitoring is necessary.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Ulrich Preuss &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtmedizin e.V. (DGS)<br \/><\/strong>Professor Preuss, German Society for Addiction Medicine, I agree. Initially, a personal contact is needed, as well as regular review of the indication and correct medication. If telemedicine is considered, it should only be for follow-ups, when the patient is well known and there is a good therapeutic relationship.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, thank you. Please continue.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>I have a follow-up for both, and perhaps also for the Medical Association: What requirements for medical documentation do you consider necessary to ensure proper care with medical cannabis?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Let\u2019s do as before: Dr. Luderer, then Dr. Preuss, then Dr. Reinhardt. Please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Matthias Luderer &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht)<\/strong><br \/>It\u2019s important that risk assessment for such an individual, last-resort treatment is not left to an automated online process or a questionnaire. That\u2019s not medical practice, but commercial. The doctor must document why evidence-based standard therapies have failed, and the patient must be explicitly informed about the lack of evidence\u2014because for cannabis flowers, there is almost none\u2014and the risk of dependence. This must be documented, with follow-ups. We also have no package inserts or product information yet; we need those to ensure patient rights. Proper care requires more than just writing a prescription.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Ulrich Preuss &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtmedizin e.V. (DGS)<\/strong><br \/>I agree. Addiction medicine expertise is important to distinguish between use and use disorder, and to consider drug interactions. All these elements are part of medical due diligence and should be documented at each patient contact.<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Klaus Reinhardt &#8211; Bundes\u00e4rztekammer (B\u00c4K)<\/strong><br \/>I can confirm that. I\u2019d add: This is an absolutely individual form of therapy, and the individual situation must be properly documented. That\u2019s not achieved by ticking boxes on a standard questionnaire. That\u2019s a minimum standard for any treatment, including with cannabis products. The Medical Association has generally opposed medical cannabis treatment with flowers, because there are no standards or product information for patients. These are compounded medicines that don\u2019t follow any basic standard, even if done well. If cannabis is to be used as a medical agent, standardized products should be required.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Another question, please.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>Yes, I have a question for the GKV Central Association and perhaps also the Medical Association, if time allows. The G-BA links exceptions to the health insurance approval requirement for medical cannabis to certain medical specialties or additional qualifications. Do you think it makes sense to tie prescribing more closely to qualifications and specialties?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Ms. Maser, please.<\/p><p><strong>Corinna Maser &#8211; GKV-Spitzenverband\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>This is about the general question of who is qualified to prescribe cannabis. In the G-BA regulation on exceptions to the approval requirement, the GKV Central Association argued that both a specific specialty and an additional qualification should be required. For special prescribing conditions for cannabis medicines without approval, we believe both the specialty and the specific qualification in the relevant field are needed\u2014to assess disease severity and the lack of alternative treatments\u2014as well as additional training for cannabis therapy, to assess the likelihood of success. However, the decision was made that either a specialty or an additional qualification is sufficient. This decision is to be evaluated based on developments in the various medical groups and the number of voluntary pre-approvals requested, to see if the regulation needs to be adjusted.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now it\u2019s the AfD\u2019s turn for seven minutes. Ms. Hess, please.<\/p><p><strong>Nicole Hess &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. My question is a follow-up for the German Center for Addiction Issues. I\u2019m curious, and I\u2019m not distinguishing between recreational and medical cannabis, since it\u2019s clear that recreational cannabis is also being obtained via medical routes. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here today. What confused me was your answer in the last round, where you said you support access to medical cannabis, and that you intervene when someone \u201ctakes a wrong turn.\u201d My question is about your self-understanding: Is your role preventive, or do you wait until someone has taken a wrong turn? How does the Center see its role? Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Ms. Egartner, please.<\/p><p><strong>Eva Egartner &#8211; Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. The German Center for Addiction Issues deals with all questions around prevention, counseling, and treatment. Of course, we are very active in prevention and support further preventive measures for all intoxicants, including alcohol. I think the earlier comment was about recreational cannabis\u2014that some people use it for pleasure and may not realize it\u2019s an intoxicant, and over time may develop addictive behavior. Then the right help must be available. In schools, we need to educate in advance about the risks. That\u2019s undisputed, and as I said before, we strongly support advertising bans for all intoxicants, including cannabinoids, and that the existing advertising ban should be enforced. As the police representative said, it\u2019s hard to enforce, but we would strongly support better enforcement, so that children and adults are not bombarded with advertising at bus stops or online. That should be pursued and not be so widely accessible.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Ms. Schie\u00dfel, please.<\/p><p><strong>Carina Schie\u00dfel &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Yes, I have a question for DG-Sucht, DHS, and DGS. Do you agree that the draft law is a necessary but incomplete step, and that treating medical cannabis like any other medicine would better ensure patient protection, cost transparency, and prevention of misuse in the long term?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s Professor Preuss, right?<\/p><p><strong>M.D. Ulrich Preuss &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtmedizin e.V. (DGS)<\/strong><br \/>I\u2019ll start. We have submitted a statement with some suggestions for improving the draft law. In principle, we support the draft, but recommend reviewing whether certain forms of cannabis prescribing should be made stricter. The advertising ban is also very important to us. We also emphasize that finished medicines are preferable to cannabis flowers from a medical perspective, because they are more defined. Instructions for use and package inserts are also important for patient protection and education.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Dr. Luderer for DG-Sucht as well.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Matthias Luderer &#8211; Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Suchtforschung und Suchttherapie e.V. (DG-Sucht)<\/strong><br \/>I agree with the previous speaker and would like to add a comment. I don\u2019t know who said earlier that family doctors are generous with ADHD medications like methylphenidate. The experience is quite the opposite\u2014ADHD is under-treated, especially in adults. Also, the ADHD guidelines, which I am helping to revise, have said since 2018 that cannabis should not be used to treat ADHD. I don\u2019t rule out that it may be effective in individual cases, but we need much more research to assess efficacy and side effects.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Ms. Egartner, if I\u2019m not mistaken.<\/p><p><strong>Eva Egartner &#8211; Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Yes, thank you. We also support the draft law and would like to keep mail-order options for the reasons already mentioned\u2014especially in rural areas, it\u2019s difficult for chronic patients to access care. We also support stricter enforcement of advertising bans, and if the police need more regulations for this, they should be included.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now, Mr. Mieves for the SPD group. Five minutes.<\/p><p><strong>Matthias Mieves &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. My next question is for Mr. Wurth. How do you assess the federal government\u2019s claim that patient care would not be endangered without mail-order sales, since any local pharmacy could order medical cannabis?<\/p><p><strong>Georg Wurth &#8211; Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV)<\/strong><br \/>When it comes to the ban on mail-order sales, I don\u2019t see the situation as quite as dramatic as with the ban on telemedicine platforms, because doctors really have a kind of bottleneck that can\u2019t be bypassed. People simply won\u2019t be able to get prescriptions anymore, at least in part, whereas getting cannabis from the nearest pharmacy is, in principle, still possible. They just have to order it and then pick it up. Although, even today, there are still pharmacies that refuse to order cannabis. But I assume that if the platforms disappear, that will decrease. The problem is, it\u2019s much more effort for patients. In rural areas, they\u2019ll have to drive around, usually twice\u2014once to order, once to pick up\u2014because pharmacies, unless they specialize, won\u2019t have a wide range of cannabis products in stock. And above all, the prices are much higher, because online pharmacies buy in bulk and pass those savings on to patients, so getting cannabis only from brick-and-mortar pharmacies will make it significantly more expensive. And, of course, there\u2019s the extra travel involved. So, we\u2019re against shutting down these online cannabis pharmacies. But things would get really dramatic if cannabis could only be prescribed in local doctors\u2019 offices. Prescription. Thank you.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Yes, Mr. Y\u00fcksel.<\/p><div class=\"PZPZlf ssJ7i B5dxMb\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" data-attrid=\"title\"><p><strong>Serdar Y\u00fcksel &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you, Madam Chair. My question is for the Cannabis Industry Association. The draft law has now been submitted to the EU Commission for notification. How do you assess the draft law from a European legal perspective?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Heitepriem, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dirk Heitepriem &#8211; Branchenverband der Cannabiswirtschaft e.V. (BvCW)<\/strong><br \/>Dirk Heitepriem, Cannabis Industry Association. We do have some questions about it. Our legal team has looked into it, and we have concerns that the ban on mail-order sales could pose problems under European law. There\u2019s also the question of whether prescriptions via telemedicine will still be allowed, and we really wonder how that fits into the European legal context, especially if prescriptions come from non-German doctors or platforms based elsewhere in Europe, where pharmacies are required to fill those prescriptions but have a hard time verifying if they\u2019re legitimate. That\u2019s why we\u2019re really advocating for strengthening reputable telemedicine providers in Germany\u2014those who want to care for patients via video consultations\u2014so they can offer expert advice, issue prescriptions, and take some pressure off family doctors. That way, there\u2019s no need for patients to turn to platforms based somewhere else in Europe.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Okay, please.<\/p><p><strong>Matthias Mieves &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>The next question is for Ms. Neubaur from the Association of Cannabis-Dispensing Pharmacies. Could you describe, based on your experience, which patient groups especially rely on mail-order delivery and what specific gaps in care would arise for these groups if mail-order sales were banned?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Yes, Ms. Neubaur, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christiane Neubaur &#8211; Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V. (VCA)\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>Neubaur from the Association of Cannabis-Dispensing Pharmacies. The patients who rely most on mail-order are those who are immobile or seriously ill. And we\u2019re not just talking about self-payers with private prescriptions; there are also many patients with statutory health insurance who get their cannabis via mail-order because they don\u2019t have a pharmacy nearby. There\u2019s a real risk that these people will be excluded from care if mail-order sales are banned. I\u2019d also like to emphasize that these are German local pharmacies\u2014not to be confused with Dutch mail-order companies, which are often seen as a big threat to pharmacies. These are local pharmacies that also serve cannabis patients in person, but because of the situation, they have a mail-order license and can supply patients who live farther away and don\u2019t have a pharmacy nearby.<\/p><p><strong>Matthias Mieves &#8211; SPD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you, that\u2019s helpful.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Now we have three minutes for Alliance 90\/The Greens, two minutes for the AfD, and four minutes for the CDU\/CSU. Ms. Heitmann, you have three minutes, please.<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>Thank you very much. I\u2019d like to ask Professor Dr. M\u00fcller-Vahl one final question: Do you think it would generally make sense to conduct an evaluation of the medical cannabis law, presumably in its amended form? And if so, what criteria should, in your view, be examined and included in such an evaluation?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Yes, Dr. M\u00fcller-Vahl, please.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Kirsten M\u00fcller-Vahl &#8211; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)<\/strong><br \/>From a scientific perspective, I\u2019d say evaluations and studies are always a good idea. But I do wonder how you\u2019d go about it in this particular case. As we\u2019ve noted several times, we already lack robust data. And if you collect new data now, what do you compare it to, and how do you determine if anything has changed? If you just throw something together quickly, as we saw with the accompanying cannabis survey, even though a large dataset was collected, there were significant limitations. The authors themselves say the findings are very limited. The only thing I could suggest, and this is purely speculative, is that there\u2019s the EcoCan study being conducted in Hamburg. Maybe you could ask those colleagues to expand their work a bit. They\u2019re collecting data and might be best positioned to do this. Otherwise, to be honest, I don\u2019t know how you\u2019d evaluate it, and I wouldn\u2019t want to make any requirements dependent on such an evaluation.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. Any further questions?<\/p><p><strong>Linda Heitmann &#8211; Alliance 90\/The Greens<\/strong><br \/>No, no further questions. I\u2019ll give the rest of my time back.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>That\u2019s very considerate. Thank you. Now we move to block four. As mentioned, the AfD has two more minutes and the CDU\/CSU has four minutes. Dr. Baum, please.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Christina Baum &#8211; AfD<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. I have another question for the representative of the Police Union. We\u2019ve heard that there\u2019s been a sharp increase in demand for cannabis since legalization, and, if I understood correctly, also an increase in the black market. How do you explain that?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Mr. Poitz, please?<\/p><p><strong>Alexander Poitz &#8211; Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP)<\/strong><br \/>Yes, of course, it\u2019s due to consumer demand, which the black market takes advantage of. But I didn\u2019t say that the black market is measurable\u2014there are no reliable figures, except for estimated profits in the billions. That\u2019s also reflected in the BKA\u2019s drug crime reports. But it\u2019s not measurable. The black market is driven by money, and we\u2019re talking about billions here. We\u2019ve seen an increase in cases involving recreational cannabis, and, as we\u2019ve heard, an increase in consumption patterns for medical cannabis. The German Medical Association has also said that, under the guise of being patients, people are obtaining medical cannabis to use recreationally. That doesn\u2019t make it legal, so there\u2019s still an enforcement gap, which is what we as law enforcement want to address. But that\u2019s not really the issue of this law. I\u2019ll repeat: we generally support the draft law, but we know the situation is tense right now. This affects not just the cannabis market but the entire drug market. Drug crime is enforcement crime, and that\u2019s the job we want to do as the police and as security authorities. And one last point: we\u2019re not talking about criminalization here. I\u2019d ask for different wording, even in this chamber, because we\u2019re not criminalizing anyone. I don\u2019t criminalize someone for driving 50 in a 30 zone; we\u2019re just enforcing the law, and that\u2019s the job of the security authorities.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. And finally, the CDU\/CSU group has four minutes. Professor Streeck, please.<\/p><p><strong>Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck &#8211; CDU\/CSU<\/strong><br \/>I have a final question for the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. In your view, should cannabis or cannabis flowers be treated like a regular medication in medical care and thus be evaluated according to the GBA\u2019s standards? And how do you assess Section 31, Paragraph 6 of the Social Code Book V, which regulates the coverage of medical cannabis by statutory health insurance?<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>So, first the KBV, and then Ms. Maser for the GKV-Spitzenverband, please.<\/p><p><strong>Kassen\u00e4rztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV)<\/strong><br \/>I have no financial interests. We do not believe that cannabis should be treated as a regular medication, because, in our view, it simply isn\u2019t, as has been made clear throughout this hearing. It\u2019s not an approved medication. The evidence base isn\u2019t particularly strong. It\u2019s used for a wide range of indications, often as an individual therapeutic attempt, and that\u2019s not comparable to other medications. So, we wouldn\u2019t consider cannabis a regular medication, nor would we subject it to the usual criteria, such as the drug guidelines. There would also be problems if, as has been discussed, cannabis medications were to fall under the AMNOG process. I won\u2019t repeat all the arguments, but it\u2019s been explained why that would be difficult. It simply doesn\u2019t fit the existing regulations. And regarding Section 31, Paragraph 6: This section was specifically created to allow, in individual cases where there\u2019s a real need for treatment and approved medications or other therapeutic alternatives are no longer adequate, another treatment option. There are some studies showing some success. But these very specific individual cases are hard to regulate through general drug guidelines, which always address abstract, general cases, not individual ones. If we were to say, for example, that cannabis should be subject to the AMNOG process, then Section 31, Paragraph 6 would probably be called into question. That would mean there would be no legal or benefit entitlement for the insured under statutory health insurance, at least not at first. That\u2019s speculation, of course; you\u2019d have to see what the law would say. If an AMNOG process were carried out, we\u2019d be in a situation that AMNOG hasn\u2019t covered before. We\u2019d have to consider the different THC ratios, etc.\u2014these are different modes of action. So, we\u2019d have to do evaluations specific to the flower or the composition, and also by indication, of course. And I think that would no longer fulfill the legislator\u2019s intention to provide timely, individualized care for patients.<\/p><p><strong>Dr. Tanja Machalet &#8211; Chairwoman of the Health Committee<\/strong><br \/>Thank you. That brings us to the end of our time and the hearing. I\u2019d like to thank all of you for your focused answers and questions. We\u2019ll now review and analyze the results of the hearing and then see how we proceed. So, thank you again. Have a good evening and a good rest of the week. Thank you.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b83cfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9b83cfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f65ac85 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f65ac85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ade1e80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ade1e80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sources<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-352defa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"352defa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Public Hearing&#8217;s page on the Bundestag website:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundestag.de\/ausschuesse\/gesundheit\/anhoerungen\/1134474-1134474\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.bundestag.de\/ausschuesse\/gesundheit\/anhoerungen\/1134474-1134474<\/a><\/li><li><strong>Video broadcast: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundestag.de\/mediathek\/video?videoid=7647312\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.bundestag.de\/mediathek\/video?videoid=7647312<\/a><\/li><li><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong> Deutscher Bundestag<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83d\udcfa For those who missed the hearing, you can still watch the recording by the Deutscher Bundestag below. \ud83d\udcac For English speakers, as the hearing was conducted in German, we&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3867,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3816","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-european-cannabis-industry"},"views":62,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3816"}],"version-history":[{"count":90,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3816\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3942,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3816\/revisions\/3942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luminorecruit.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}