Medical Cannabis Boom in Germany
German Firm Turns Global Cannabis into Pharmaceuticals
Table of Contents
- German Firm Turns Global Cannabis into Pharmaceuticals
- german Firm Turns Global Cannabis into Pharmaceuticals: Your Cannabis Q&A
- What is Cantourage?
- What Does Cantourage Do With Cannabis?
- Where is Cantourage located?
- What is the current state of cannabis legalization globally?
- What role does Germany play in the European cannabis market?
- How are companies thriving in the German cannabis market?
- How successful has Cantourage been?
- What is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis?
- How has Germany changed its cannabis laws?
- What is the impact of these changes?
- What are some key facts about the German cannabis market?
- What about the future of the cannabis market in Germany?
- What is the increase in cannabis prescriptions in Germany?
- Summary of the Cantourage business
BERLIN (AP) — In a nondescript facility, surgical caps, masks, and blue-gloved workers at Cantourage, a German startup, meticulously transform dried cannabis flowers sourced from over 15 countries, including Jamaica, Uganda, Portugal, and New Zealand, into pharmaceutical products labeled “made in Germany.”
Using small scissors,employees trim the raw cannabis into small,brownish-green pieces. These processed flowers are intended to alleviate chronic pain, combat insomnia, and treat specific forms of epilepsy.
“we are committed to respecting the strictest security standards,both for our employees and for our products,” said Philip Schetter,41,CEO of Cantourage,during a factory visit. Schetter declined to disclose the precise location of the facility, citing concerns that the 4 to 6 metric tons of cannabis processed annually could attract unwanted attention.
Germany’s burgeoning Cannabis Market
While the legalization of recreational cannabis remains limited globally, approximately 50 countries, including Germany since 2017, have authorized the medical use of the plant.Germany represents the largest market for medical cannabis within the European Union.
Companies Thrive in Favorable Environment
This regulatory landscape has spurred the growth of companies licensed to market cannabis for therapeutic purposes in Germany.Among them are Cansativa, an online sales platform for therapeutic cannabis founded in 2017, and Cantourage, established in 2019. cantourage aims to challenge established players like Dutch firm Bedrocan and Canada’s aurora.
Over five years, Cantourage, which employs 70 people, has seen its turnover increase from under €1 million to €40 million. The company achieved its first operational profit last year. Cantourage began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in late 2022 under the ticker symbol HIGH.
Blurred Lines Between Medical and Recreational Use
Schetter, who entered the cannabis industry in 2018 and previously oversaw the construction of production sites for competitor Aurora in Germany, acknowledges the sometimes “blurred” distinction between recreational and medicinal cannabis.
Germany has recently relaxed its cannabis laws, authorizing the possession of limited quantities for recreational use. Concurrently, the law has simplified the process for prescribing medical cannabis. Cannabis is no longer classified as a ”narcotic,” which has streamlined prescription procedures.
“You can get cannabis in pharmacies without being seriously ill,” Schetter noted, welcoming the resulting increase in demand. Recreational cannabis is available through dedicated cannabis clubs.
Imports of raw cannabis material surged by over 70% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous period, reflecting the initial three months following the implementation of Germany’s cannabis reforms.
The German therapeutic cannabis sector remains heavily reliant on imports of flowers and extracts, with Canada being the primary supplier.Only three companies currently hold licenses to cultivate cannabis within Germany.
According to Bloomwell,a German online platform connecting patients and doctors for cannabis prescriptions,the number of prescriptions increased by 1,000% in December compared to March 2024,just before the new legislation took effect.
Potential Policy Shift on the Horizon
However, the rise to power of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Conservative party in early May, which opposed the legalization of recreational cannabis, could potentially disrupt the sector’s growth.
The new government has pledged to review the cannabis law in the fall and may consider reversing course. schetter remains confident, stating, “We are a pharmaceutical business. We make medicines and deliver them to pharmacists.”
By Le360 (with AFP)
May 18, 2025
german Firm Turns Global Cannabis into Pharmaceuticals: Your Cannabis Q&A
What is Cantourage?
Cantourage is a German startup that transforms dried cannabis flowers into pharmaceutical products. They source their cannabis from over 15 countries, including Jamaica, Uganda, Portugal, and New Zealand, and process it into products intended for medical use.
What Does Cantourage Do With Cannabis?
Cantourage meticulously processes dried cannabis flowers into pharmaceutical products. Their employees trim the raw cannabis into small, brownish-green pieces. These processed flowers are then used to create medicines that can help alleviate chronic pain, combat insomnia, and treat certain forms of epilepsy. They are labeled “made in Germany.”
Where is Cantourage located?
the precise location of Cantourage’s facility is not disclosed. This is due to security concerns given the 4 to 6 metric tons of cannabis they process annually.
What is the current state of cannabis legalization globally?
While recreational cannabis legalization is limited globally,approximately 50 countries have authorized the medical use of cannabis. Germany is one of them, having legalized medical cannabis in 2017.
What role does Germany play in the European cannabis market?
Germany is the largest market for medical cannabis within the European union.
How are companies thriving in the German cannabis market?
The regulatory landscape in Germany has spurred the growth of companies licensed to market cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Cantourage, established in 2019, is one such company, aiming to challenge established players. Cansativa, an online sales platform founded in 2017, is another.
How successful has Cantourage been?
Over five years,Cantourage has seen its turnover increase from under €1 million to €40 million. The company achieved its first operational profit last year and began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in late 2022 under the ticker symbol HIGH.
What is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis?
The distinction between medical and recreational cannabis can sometimes be blurred, according to Philip Schetter, CEO of Cantourage. In Germany, the laws have recently been relaxed to allow for easier access to cannabis for medical use, and for limited recreational use.
How has Germany changed its cannabis laws?
Germany has relaxed its cannabis laws in recent times. Key changes include:
Recreational Use: Authorization of possession of limited quantities of cannabis for recreational use.
Medical Prescriptions: Simplification of the process for prescribing medical cannabis.
Narcotic Classification: Cannabis is no longer classified as a “narcotic,” which streamlines prescription procedures.
What is the impact of these changes?
The changes have created an increase in demand. Also,imports of raw cannabis surged by over 70% in the third quarter of 2024 after the new legislation took effect.
What are some key facts about the German cannabis market?
Here are some key facts:
reliance on Imports: The German therapeutic cannabis sector relies heavily on imports of flowers and extracts.
Major Supplier: canada is the primary supplier of imported cannabis.
Domestic Cultivation: Only three companies currently hold licenses to cultivate cannabis within Germany.
What about the future of the cannabis market in Germany?
The rise to power of the Conservative party coudl perhaps disrupt the sector’s growth. The new government has pledged to review the cannabis law and may consider reversing course. Philip Schetter remains confident, stating, “we are a pharmaceutical business. We make medicines and deliver them to pharmacists.”
What is the increase in cannabis prescriptions in Germany?
According to Bloomwell, a German online platform, the number of cannabis prescriptions increased by 1,000% in December compared to March 2024, just before the new legislation took effect.
Summary of the Cantourage business
Here is a summary of Cantourage’s key information:
| Feature | details |
|———————|————————————————————————–|
| Business Type | German startup manufacturing pharmaceutical cannabis products. |
| Sourcing | Dried cannabis flowers from over 15 countries. |
| Products | Pharmaceutical products for chronic pain, insomnia, and epilepsy. |
| Market | Largest medical cannabis market in the European Union (Germany). |
| Financials | Turnover increased from under €1 million to €40 million in five years.|
| Stock Exchange | Traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HIGH. |
| employees | Approximately 70 people |