German pharmacists are calling for significantly stricter regulations governing cannabis clubs, citing emerging health concerns and a potential strain on the nation’s healthcare system. Thomas Preis, president of the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA), voiced the concerns in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, arguing that enhanced oversight could mitigate demonstrable health risks associated with cannabis consumption.
Preis highlighted a growing body of research extending beyond previously understood links to psychiatric disorders. Recent studies, he stated, suggest a markedly elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality and the development of Type 2 diabetes amongst cannabis users. Critically, he emphasized the potential for cannabis to impede the metabolism of numerous prescription drugs, significantly amplifying their effects and leading to dangerous interactions. Medications commonly affected, according to ABDA, include blood thinners, psychotropic drugs and specific cancer treatments – a development with serious implications for patient safety.
The call for stricter controls comes as the German government undertakes a mandated evaluation of its recent cannabis legalization measures. A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed reports indicating interim assessments will be delivered by April 1, 2026, focusing on the impact on cannabis-related organized crime, with a comprehensive evaluation slated for April 1, 2028. These reports are intended to inform potential policy adjustments and are already generating political debate surrounding the initial legal framework.
While ABDA acknowledges the government’s recent move to restrict online prescriptions for medicinal cannabis, a perceived measure to curb unchecked proliferation, Preis welcomed the decision to enforce mandatory personal consultation with physicians. He noted a dramatic surge in private prescriptions issued for cannabis flowers since the partial legalization last year. ABDA attributes this rise primarily to online platforms offering seemingly effortless prescriptions through superficial online questionnaires, bypassing the necessary individualized medical assessment.
Preis stressed the crucial role of pharmacists in providing comprehensive counseling when dispensing cannabis flower, underscoring its addictive potential and significant effects on brain development in young people. The association’s concerns raise questions about the long-term public health consequences of the current legislative model and place pressure on policymakers to prioritize patient wellbeing over potentially compromised regulatory objectives. Critics argue that the current evaluation framework’s focus largely targets organized crime, potentially overlooking the broader repercussions for public health and the overburdened healthcare system.