Germany’s medical cannabis imports for the first quarter of 2026 totaled 50,539 kg of cannabis flower, with Canada supplying over half of this volume. The latest data from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) indicates that Canadian producers accounted for 53% of all imports during this period, reinforcing their position as a primary international supplier to the German market.

Q1 2026 German Medical Cannabis Imports Overview

In the initial three months of 2026, Germany imported cannabis flower designated for medical and medical-scientific applications. This figure represents a decrease of approximately 15% from the preceding quarter but an increase of about 34% compared to the first quarter of 2025, according to BfArM data. A discrepancy in total import figures was noted, with BfArM’s page stating 50,539 kg, while a breakdown by country totalled 49,540 kg, with four countries lacking specified import quantities.

Canada emerged as the leading supplier, exporting 26,753 kg, which constituted 53% of the total German medical cannabis imports. Portugal was the second-largest source, contributing 10,342 kg, often serving as an intermediary for cannabis products destined for markets such as Germany. Denmark ranked third with 3,338 kg. Concurrently, Germany exported 1,526 kg of cannabis flower for medical or scientific purposes during Q1 2026, a slight reduction from the previous quarter but an increase year-over-year.

Canadian Export Strategy and EU-GMP Compliance

Canadian cannabis producers have increasingly focused on international markets to capitalise on potentially higher margins, as domestic excise taxes of $1 per gram do not apply to exports. This strategic emphasis was highlighted by a meeting on May 4, 2026, between representatives from Canada’s cannabis industry and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and the Canada Trade Commissioner Service to discuss export market opportunities.

Compliance with European Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) is a prerequisite for importing cannabis into the European market, including Germany. In late 2025, BfArM clarified its cultivar approval process amid heightened EU-GMP scrutiny. An EU-GMP certificate, issued by a governmental or regulatory authority such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or a national competent authority, verifies a company’s adherence to these standards. Companies that do not cultivate cannabis in an EU-GMP-certified facility often route their products through EU-GMP processors in countries like Canada, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Malta, and Switzerland before final market entry. This practice is sometimes referred to as “GMP washing.”

German Regulatory Environment and Domestic Capacity

Germany’s medical cannabis framework has historically relied on imports while gradually developing its domestic production capabilities. The nation, with a population of 84 million, currently has three licensed domestic producers, two of which are operated by firms with Canadian affiliations (Tilray/Aphria and Aurora). This contrasts with Canada, which supports nearly 1,000 licensed producers for a population of approximately 40 million.

The legal landscape for cannabis in Germany has seen recent adjustments. The German Medical Cannabis Act, passed in February 2024, expanded access to cannabis for medical purposes via pharmacies. This framework permits online consultations and allows pharmacies to mail cannabis products to patients, with more than one in seven German pharmacies offering medical cannabis. While Germany also partially legalized cannabis for adult use on April 1, 2024, allowing personal cultivation and consumption without commercial sales, the law does not allow commercial sales or regulate commercial production. In a ruling posted in March 2026, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice determined that advertising for medical cannabis treatments contravenes the country’s law on advertising medicinal products.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.