Marijuana Business Magazine September 2019

Milestones in the Medical Cannabis Program Germany established the current regulatory framework for its medical cannabis program in March 2017. It replaced a more restrictive program that had been in place for years. Key Laws and Regulations • Amendment of the German Narcotic Law, implemented in March 2017 • Narcotics Act • Medicinal Products Act • Pharmacy Law Market Data • No centralized registry of patients exists. • Total imports of flower for pharmacy dispensing were roughly 1,200 kilograms (2,646 pounds) in 2017, 3,000 kilograms in 2018 and 2,500 kilograms during the first half of 2019. • The retail price of MMJ flower is about $22 (20 euros) per gram, of which half is pharmacy markup and taxes. Medical Cannabis Products Available in the Market With marketing authorization: • Sativex to treat multiple sclerosis. • Canemes to treat nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Without marketing authorization: • Pharmaceutical products such as Marinol can be imported, though the generic version, dronabinol, is locally produced and less expensive. • Dronabinol preparations. • Cannabis flower and full-spectrum extracts. North American Companies in the Market Domestic Producers: • Alberta-based Aurora Cannabis. • Ontario-based Aphria. • British Columbia-based Wayland, through its joint venture with Demecan. • Ontario-based Canopy Growth is manufacturing dronabinol through C3, formerly the cannabinoid division of the German firm Bionorica. Exporting flower or full-spectrum extracts to Germany: • Canopy Growth. • Aurora Cannabis. • Ontario-based Cronos Group. • British Columbia-based Tilray. • Wayland. • Ontario-based TerrAscend. Big Picture • Germany is the largest medical marijuana market outside North America, exceeding the combined sales of other European nations. • Until March 2017, access was restricted, with only about 1,000 authorized patients in the country. But things changed that year, creating a significant export opportunity to supply a market that, for the time being, depends exclusively on imported product. • The current framework authorizes the prescription of different types of products and, in general, requires statutory health insurers to reimburse patients. • Patients must have a serious condition to qualify. Most MMJ prescriptions are for treating chronic pain. Cannabis should be prescribed only as last resort. • Patients must apply to receive insurance reimbursement. About two-thirds of reimbursement applications are accepted. • Three companies recently were selected to grow domestically and will be allowed to cultivate a total of 2,600 kilograms per year for a period of four years (with the possibility of increasing 10% per year, with government approval). The first harvest is expected in late 2020. Until then, imports will be necessary—and could continue after the start of domestic cultivation. Germany Like Neuschwanstein Castle looms over Schwangau, Germany’s medical marijuana market dwarfs that of other European nations. Photo by Rachel Davis Australia Brazil Colombia  Germany  Israel Italy Jamaica Lesotho The Netherlands South Africa Uruguay Zimbabwe Australia Growing Momentum Marijuana Business Magazine | September 2019 58