As governments and courts around the world seem to continue to struggle with policies and regulations pertaining to hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products, especially ‘cannabis light’ flowers, one lawmaker in Germany recently expressed her support for raising the THC limit for CBD flowers in her country.

Carmen Wegge is a German politician from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Ms. Wegge has served as a member of the Bundestag since 2021. She was recently asked a question about Germany’s THC limit for CBD flowers on the platform Abgeordnetenwatch.

“What is the current position of the federal government on CBD flowers with tax stamps?” asked Johannes H. “Furthermore, the question arises as to whether an increase in the maximum permitted THC content in CBD flowers to 1% is being considered – as is already the practice in Switzerland and Italy.”

The individual posing the questions pointed out that “around 95% of the natural CBD flowers” being sold in Germany originate from Switzerland or Italy, and that increasing the THC limit for CBD flowers in Germany “would make sense both from a health policy and economic perspective.”

Late last month, a company in Germany (Sanaleo) received the nation’s first-ever tax stamp from the General Customs Directorate of Neustadt an der Weinstraße for its THC-free flowers. Sanaleo’s CBD flower products are now subject to Germany’s tobacco tax in addition to the 19% VAT. However, it remains to be seen what impact the tax stamp issuance will have on the wider CBD flower sector.

Germany implemented the first provisions of its CanG adult-use legalization law on April 1st, 2024, which permits the nation’s adults to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis flowers with no THC limit. However, CBD flowers remain popular in the European country.

“Personally, I consider the scientifically justified increase in the permissible THC content in industrial hemp products – including CBD flowers – to 1% to be a sensible step. The example of Switzerland shows that such a limit is possible without creating a significant potential for abuse. The EU Commission has also already decided to increase the permissible THC content for industrial hemp grown in the field from 0.2% to 0.3% – which was a first small step in the right direction.” Ms. Wegge stated in her response to the inquiry (translated from German to English).

“I believe legally secure and health-oriented regulation for CBD products is urgently needed. This includes a discussion about raising the THC limit for industrial hemp if scientific findings show that this does not pose an increased potential for abuse. Such an adjustment could not only create legal clarity but also strengthen the domestic economy and facilitate imports – without compromising consumer safety. I will therefore continue to advocate in parliament for a coherent, fact-based, and Europe-compatible hemp policy in Germany.” Carmen Wegge concluded.

(The featured image of this article of Bundestag member Carmen Wegge is a photo by Anna Voelske.)

Germany’s medical cannabis industry is booming, thanks in large part to the rise of telemedicine. Telemedicine involves a potential medical cannabis patient using an online platform to seek approval for medical cannabis rather than going to a physical doctor’s office. It is a more convenient option for many patients, particularly those in rural areas and/or individuals with mobility issues.

Recent medical cannabis product import data demonstrates how fast Germany’s medical cannabis industry is growing. In the first quarter of 2025, Germany imported over 37.223 metric tonnes of medical cannabis products, a 457% increase compared to the same period from the prior year.

Medical cannabis telemedicine has become a popular target for lawmakers in Germany who are opposed to modernized medical cannabis policies, with many of those lawmakers expressing a desire to abolish the concept.

The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) recently conducted a survey asking, “What is your opinion on the possibility of obtaining prescription drugs by completing an online questionnaire?” The survey was conducted from May 26, 2025, to June 2, 2025.

“The majority of respondents support the option of obtaining prescription drugs via an online questionnaire. The survey responses were as follows: 49% support this procedure for both cannabis and other prescription drugs. 21% support it exclusively for cannabis.” BvCW stated in its recent newsletter (translated from German to English).

“Overall, 70% are in favor of prescribing cannabis via online questionnaire. 9% expressed a partly positive, partly critical attitude. 16% reject the approach in principle – regardless of the drug. 2.5% either rejected it only for cannabis or were undecided. No one expressed support exclusively for other drugs.” BvCW also wrote.

The survey was conducted following a major court decision in Germany, in which the North Rhine Chamber of Pharmacists successfully pursued a lawsuit in the Cologne Regional Court against a pharmacist who worked with a telemedicine platform.

“The AKNR considers the entire business model in this form to be illegal and has issued a warning to a pharmacist whom it believes to be the operator of the platform, a claim he denies. Among other things, the chamber sees this as impermissible advertising for remote treatment: According to Section 9 of the German Medicines Advertising Act (HWG), advertising for such treatment is only permitted in exceptional cases if, according to generally accepted professional standards, personal contact with the patient being treated is not necessary.” reported Pharmazeutische Zeitung in its local coverage (translated from German to English).

“However, the questionnaire is not a communication medium, and remote treatment is ruled out for the prescription of medical cannabis anyway, as it does not meet recognized professional standards.” the outlet also reported.

Germany’s Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) previously indicated that she intends to restrict online medical cannabis prescriptions, but as BvCW pointed out in their newsletter, “whether providers based abroad can be effectively stopped remains open.”