In the latest instalment of our series spotlighting the expert contributors to Prohibition Partners’ newly launched Insights Hub, we sat down with Enua to discuss the risks posed by Germany’s shifting focus towards recreational reform, the company’s proposals for strengthening pharmacy-led distribution and introducing over-the-counter cannabis products, and its long-term mission to ensure continuity of care for hundreds of thousands of patients across Germany.

 

 

With the partial legalisation of cannabis on April 1, 2024, Germany made its long-anticipated move. It was the right step – symbolically, politically, and socially. Despite legislative advancements, patients continue to face administrative challenges and uncertainties in accessing medical cannabis, highlighting the need for streamlined processes and clear guidelines.

This is not acceptable. 

Germany does not need debates that look backwards and risk undermining patient well-being. It requires forward-thinking solutions – bold yet responsible measures that ensure uninterrupted, safe access to cannabis-based medicines. That is precisely where enua comes in.

A Stabilising Force in a Shifting Landscape 

Germany’s medical cannabis infrastructure has taken years to build. It is a complex yet functioning system involving physicians, health insurers, licensed pharmacies, and pharmaceutical distributors. But the current shift toward recreational cannabis reform – including legal home cultivation and planned adult-use pilot programs – risks drawing focus and resources away from the medical cannabis systems, unless safeguards are put in place.

At Enua, we are not chasing hype – we are building continuity. Our company connects the dots between demand and delivery, ensuring that patients, pharmacists, and prescribers remain in sync, even as the policy environment evolves.

 

Medical Access Must Not Be a Casualty of Legalisation 

Legalisation should not come at the cost of patient care. Unfortunately, in many jurisdictions, that’s precisely what happened. Germany must do better. With an estimated 200.000 medical cannabis patients and an additional estimated 600.000 self-paying consumers, Germany’s legal cannabis system today serves nearly 800.000  individuals – and their access cannot be left to chance.

We’re seeing this tension play out in real time: overwhelmed doctors, pharmacy stockouts, and rising confusion about what’s medical, what’s recreational, and what’s simply unavailable. That’s why we advocate for solutions like an over-the-counter (OTC)  product with a moderate THC content – around 10%. It would offer relief for many common conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain, while reducing pressure on physicians and preserving clinical oversight via pharmacies.

The Pharmacy: Not Just a Sales Point—A Safety Net 

In Germany, pharmacies are not retail spaces. They are trusted healthcare institutions.  This makes them the ideal access point for sensitive substances like cannabis.  Pharmacists ensure proper usage, verify quality, and educate patients—functions that neither black markets nor recreational outlets can reliably provide.

By anchoring medical cannabis distribution in pharmacies, Germany reinforces trust,  quality, and accessibility. enua’s logistics and compliance systems are designed around this model, offering real-time inventory, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain.

A European Model in the Making 

What Germany does next will resonate far beyond its borders. European nations are closely observing whether Germany can manage both liberalisation and medical continuity. The opportunity is immense: to lead not just with policy but with infrastructure, integrity, and patient outcomes.

enua is committed to supporting that vision. Our systems are scalable, our partners are ready, and our mission is clear: to safeguard medical access during a moment of unprecedented transformation.

Now Is the Time to Act 

Patients are waiting. Pharmacies are prepared. The industry stands ready. What we need now is legal clarity and political courage. Germany has the infrastructure to lead  Europe—but leadership means more than legislation. It means delivery. Medical cannabis is not a political symbol. It is healthcare. And in times of change,  health must come first.