The Recommendation of the Bundesrat Health Committee – First Signals from the Federal States
The Health Committee’s recommendation for the Bundesrat was published on 6 November and forms the technical foundation for today’s deliberations in the Bundesrat. For the first time, the federal states have outlined clearly where the reform proposal should be further refined to ensure that the planned changes work reliably in practice. The recommendations focus on making key provisions workable — for example, pharmacy oversight, verification of the required in-person doctor–patient contact, and enforcing the proposed ban on shipping cannabis flower.
Because these points directly concern how the new rules would later be implemented by state authorities, it is widely expected that the Bundesrat will adopt the committee’s recommendation with only minor adjustments.
The Parliamentary Roadmap – Crucial Months Ahead
On 3 December, the Federal Government will issue its official response to the Bundesrat’s position, marking the start of the next stage of the process. The first reading in the Bundestag follows on 18 December, where the draft will be introduced and formally referred to the committees.
From January onward, the detailed work begins: the Health Committee will hold expert hearings, draft amendments, and reconcile the different positions within the governing coalition. This phase will reveal where substantial changes to the bill are likely — whether on the shipping ban, the treatment of telemedicine, or the definition of in-person medical consultations.
If you want to follow the process, you can easily do so online:
– Bundestag debates (including the first, second, and third readings) are broadcast live on parliamentary television and made available in the Bundestag media library afterwards.
– The Bundesrat also streams its plenary sessions live and publishes documents such as opinions and recommendations openly on its website.
The second and third readings in the Bundestag are planned for spring 2026, followed by another round in the Bundesrat. Depending on transitional arrangements, the earliest likely date for the law to come into force is spring or summer 2026.
The Role of the Bundestag – Political Dynamics and Substantive Direction
Although the draft originally came from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), led by the CDU, it is the Bundestag phase that will ultimately determine which overarching health policy approach prevails. The SPD has already expressed doubts about several elements of the proposal. Signals from members of the Social Democratic group — including Matthias Mieves — suggest that while clear rules on prescribing and supply security are supported, access to medical cannabis should not be limited by overly restrictive requirements.
This means the SPD is likely to play an influential role in the committee process, pushing to adjust key provisions — particularly those concerning in-person doctor–patient contact, telemedicine, and the proposed shipping ban. The Bundestag will ultimately decide whether the law is tightened mainly from a regulatory perspective or also developed further with a stronger focus on patient access.
What the Next Steps Mean for Patients and the Sector
For patients, physicians, pharmacies, and companies, the coming months will be decisive. The central question is how supply security will ultimately be ensured: How can a reliable, locally accessible pathway to medical cannabis treatment be established without undermining essential medical safeguards? As the parliamentary phase unfolds, this is the right moment to engage, bring forward practical perspectives, and help shape a regulatory framework that supports both patient needs and responsible implementation.
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