Key facts
- Germany's Federal Drug Commissioner, Dr. Hendrik Streeck, is personally open to adult-use cannabis pilot projects.
- The pilot projects were part of 'Pillar 2' of Germany's CanG act, focusing on commercial adult-use frameworks.
- The CDU/CSU had pledged to abolish the previous government's cannabis law.
- Medical cannabis imports fell 16.8% in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025.
- A Finance Commission for Health recommended removing flower from the statutory health insurance benefits catalogue.
Germany's Federal Drug Commissioner, Dr. Hendrik Streeck, has indicated a personal openness to exploring adult-use cannabis pilot projects, a component of the country's original Cannabis Act (CanG) that had been largely sidelined. This statement comes amidst political pressure from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), which had pledged to reverse the CanG act. Streeck acknowledged the reality of approximately five million cannabis consumers in Germany, suggesting that ignoring this trend is unproductive. He proposed heavily restricted pilot projects, emphasizing no normalization, commercial expansion, advertising, or distribution to young adults, with limited quantities and close scientific monitoring for individuals over 25. The German Cannabis Business Association welcomed Streeck's intervention, citing successful pilot projects in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, medical cannabis imports saw a 16.8% decline in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, though still higher year-on-year. Concerns persist regarding the blurring lines between medical and recreational use, with a Finance Commission for Health recommending the removal of flower cannabis from statutory health insurance reimbursement, a move opposed by industry associations who fear it will push patients towards uncontrolled supply.