Since the introduction of the law on 20 July 2018, which legalised , the programme for its usage and distribution has shown a steady increase year on year. The law was implemented through a formal programme that began in February 2019, designed to provide access to medicinal cannabis for patients with specific medical conditions, primarily for chronic pain management. This programme has steadily expanded, with the number of patients benefiting from the treatment increasing each year. In 2019, the programme had 412 patients enrolled. However, by 2024, preliminary data indicated that the number of registered patients had more than doubled, reaching 1,124.

Prescription size

Alongside the rising number of patients, the prescribed amount of cannabis delivered to patients also saw an increase. Initially, in 2019, the average amount of cannabis delivered per prescription was 36.4 grams. This figure steadily rose to an average of 60.6 grams per prescription in 2021. However, since then, the volume of cannabis prescribed has plateaued. In 2024, the average amount of cannabis flower buds distributed per prescription stood at 66.7 grams.

Consumption

The annual average consumption of medicinal cannabis per patient also increased initially. In 2019, the average annual consumption per patient was 128 grams. By 2022, this had nearly tripled to 375 grams. However, by 2024, the average annual consumption per patient had dropped to 352 grams, equating to approximately 1 gram of medicinal cannabis per day. This reduction in the amount of cannabis consumed could be partially attributed to the introduction of cannabis extracts (oil) in bottled form, which began being distributed in 2022. These extracts provided an alternative to dried flower buds and their availability has likely contributed to the decreased consumption of dried cannabis. By 2023 and 2024, nearly 4,900 bottles of extracted oils were distributed to patients.

Procurement

The procurement process for cannabis flower buds and extracted oils is managed by the ministry of health, which has been issuing public tenders since 2019. These tenders are used to secure the necessary supplies for the medicinal cannabis programme. For 2025, the ministry issued a tender for a maximum quantity of 100 kilograms of cannabis flower tops. This tender was awarded to Tilray Deutschland at a cost of €350,000 excluding VAT (€409,500 including VAT). The contract was divided between two varieties: a balanced THC-CBD reference and a CBD-dominant reference.

The contract is set to last for one year, until 31 December 2025, with the possibility of a one-year extension.