Cansativa Admin

Challenges Facing Good Drug and Health Policy

Recent months have illustrated that drug policy experts often face significant opposition. The discourse frequently becomes emotional, making it difficult to maintain objectivity. Accusations of serving special interest groups, which supposedly represent only the consumers’ interests, are common. But there’s a broader, underlying criticism: a prevalent misunderstanding that cannabis should only make the political agenda when the climate is free from urgent issues. This gives the false impression that cannabis policy is a peripheral issue that shouldn’t be prioritized during crises, suggesting it’s less serious and should defer to more grave matters – “Schönwetterthema” as we call it in Germany.

Moreover, this criticism is emotionally charged and perpetuates the stigma surrounding cannabis as a political issue. The prejudices and stereotypes linked to cannabis use hinder an unbiased discussion. Deep-seated stigmas, ignorance, and personal experiences with substance use fuel this dismissive stance toward drug policy. Many hold entrenched views based on partial knowledge and biases, which are not conducive to a rational debate or a constructive engagement with cannabis policy.

Cannabis Law as a Moment of Professionalization

The discourse surrounding the Cannabis Law appears to have instigated a modest shift: there is now more focus on substantive content, thanks to the foundation laid by the law itself. The tone of discussion among drug policymakers from all parties has become more reasoned and less polarized. The debate has deepened, suggesting a growing professionalism among stakeholders. This shift shows a recognition of the topic’s complexity beyond superficial discussions.

Today, discussions about dynamics related to the Narcotic Drugs Act or reducing barriers to medicinal cannabis therapy are not limited to specialist policymakers. Towards the end of the legislative process, a critical debate emerged that considered both the challenges and potential solutions, with polemics playing less of a role in these more inclusive discussions.

What Effective Cannabis Policy Achieves

This represents a nascent hope in a policy area long plagued by oversimplifications. Cannabis policy is crucial to drug and health policy and significantly impacts our national well-being. No one would want to revert to the days before 2017 when cannabis therapy in Germany lacked a formal legal framework. Looking forward, it’s vital for cannabis policy to foster collaborative efforts to devise precise strategies. Success in these areas will determine if, for instance, casual users can safely engage in driving, if minors are protected from drug abuse if lasting harms from use are prevented, and if the black market can be effectively curtailed. The Cannabis Law was crucial in promoting a substantial, policy-driven debate. Now, it’s essential to continue drug policy reforms with the same commitment to policy-driven approaches.

Anything else?

Do you have specific questions or suggestions for the Cannabis Briefing? Then send us an email to briefing@www.cansativa.de. If you are interested in revolutionising the cannabis industry with us, then stay tuned and follow our briefings!

We wish you a good read!

With legalising greetings,

Many of you are already familiar with Roland. Roland Schneller, our Managing Director and COO, was interviewed for our Cannabis Briefing almost two years ago when he served as COO and Prokurist, focusing on logistics. Since then, much has changed —not only for you in your role at Cansativa (congrats!) but also in terms of regulations, societal perceptions, medical advancements, and, of course, within the industry. Cansativa Group has been operating for 7 years now, since 2017, when the path for medical cannabis in Germany was first paved.
Roland, you’ve been with us for five years. Could you reflect on your time at Cansativa? Which strategies proved successful, and which perhaps not? And could you share a learning experience from significant setbacks?

One of the key factors for our success is certainly the ability to react flexibly to changes in a highly dynamic market environment. Another crucial step was the early introduction of a modern ERP system. This technological foundation allows us to track and trace every product that passes through our facilities seamlessly. Through careful documentation of all product movements, we have achieved a high level of transparency and efficiency.

Furthermore, our customer-centric approach has proven successful and has led to long-term, trusting relationships. Understanding the needs of pharmacies and anticipating them in our offerings has significantly contributed to an optimized service portfolio.

Challenges, of course, arose. Initially, we grappled with supply chain fluctuations. From this, we learned to develop more robust risk mitigation strategies, like utilizing multiple sources of supply. This diversification not only stabilized our supply chain but also reinforced our reputation as a reliable partner.

What does it take to pioneer new business models in the medical cannabis market?

There are several factors that I believe are crucial to our ongoing success. Firstly, we have the courage and ability to develop business models from scratch and shape new markets. This pioneering spirit positions us at the forefront of industry development and enables us not only to participate in new developments but also to actively drive them forward.

Secondly, despite our size, we remain highly adaptable and can quickly respond to changing requirements. This agility is crucial in such a dynamic industry as ours. It allows us to seize opportunities and overcome challenges as they arise.

Another key factor is the comprehensive industry knowledge of our team. Many of our employees have been with Cansativa since its inception and possess a wealth of experience and deep insights into our operations. This collective knowledge is invaluable and underpins our strategic decisions and innovations.

Finally, we have a very lean and cost-effective structure that enables us to operate profitably. This financial stability gives us the freedom to invest in growth and improvement while remaining resilient to market fluctuations.

What’s necessary for medical cannabis to gain more attention as an industry and therapy?

First and foremost, understandable and clearly formulated regulatory processes are crucial to enable faster product approval and market entry. Lengthy and complex regulatory procedures can currently hinder innovation and delay access to therapies.

Another important aspect is the introduction of uniform regulation for the handling of medical cannabis in all federal states. Possible discrepancies in regional regulations lead to operational challenges and discrepancies in patient access. Harmonizing regulations would streamline operations and ensure a more consistent supply.

Furthermore, enhanced collaboration between government agencies and private companies in the cannabis industry is essential. Such partnerships could facilitate the development of innovative solutions that streamline processes, improve product quality, and enhance patient care. They would also contribute to more informed regulatory decisions and ensure that the industry’s growth is sustainable and responsible, in line with public health goals.

By addressing these key factors, we can create an environment that not only promotes the growth of the entire industry but also establishes medical cannabis therapies as recognized and effective treatment options that garner attention and acceptance in society and among medical professionals. This is an exciting time for the industry, and much is at stake to shape the future of medical cannabis in Germany positively.

Anything else?

Do you have specific questions or suggestions for the Cannabis Briefing? Then send us an email to briefing@www.cansativa.de. If you are interested in revolutionising the cannabis industry with us, then stay tuned and follow our briefings!

We wish you a good read!

With legalising greetings,

The 1st of April of this year marks an important milestone in German drug and health policy. With the implementation of the new Cannabis Act, a new chapter has opened in the provision of medicinal cannabis, bringing significant improvements for both patients and healthcare professionals alike. In today’s briefing, we want to take the opportunity to outline the key changes for patients.
Facilitations in Prescription Practices

With the reclassification, meaning the removal from the Narcotics Act, medicinal cannabis becomes a “regular” prescription drug. This comes with a fundamental simplification of the prescription and dispensing process. The new regulation stipulates that prescriptions for medicinal cannabis are valid for up to 28 days for those covered by statutory health insurance, and up to three months as a private prescription. Previously, the narcotic prescription (BtM prescription) had to be presented within eight days. The new regulation provides patients with more flexibility in obtaining necessary medications, without the pressure to immediately visit a pharmacy.

The changes also bring relief for pharmacies: Longer redemption periods and the possibility to make minor adjustments or corrections to the prescription in emergencies contribute to a safe and uncomplicated supply. The option for doctors to issue cannabis as a regular (E-) prescription also facilitates access. It should be noted regarding prescriptions that existing narcotic prescriptions (BtM prescriptions) will likely no longer be reimbursed by statutory health insurance. Correction of the prescription by the treating physicians is necessary in this regard.

But not all changes are positive – and much remains the same.

It is important to realize that the new law does not solve all challenges in dealing with medical cannabis. The question of cost coverage by statutory health insurance remains unchanged for now. In the future, selected specialized doctors with specific qualifications may no longer require examination and approval by health insurance companies. The Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G-BA) is tasked with elaborating detailed provisions. Additionally, there continues to be a need for patients to prove legal possession of cannabis – especially in traffic and wherever a clear distinction from non-medical use might be necessary. This is still best achieved, for example, by presenting a prescription and ideally by documenting the prescription and application method by the treating physician.

The Cannabis Act also does not provide for a new regulation of the limits in road traffic. The recommendation for the THC limit for driving motor vehicles (3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood serum) is so far only a much-discussed proposal. A timetable for the legal implementation of a new limit is still pending.

New is the uncertainty regarding the time and place of medicinal cannabis consumption. Unfortunately, it is currently unclear whether consumption restrictions in public spaces for recreational cannabis also apply to patients in cannabis therapy. Therefore, for the time being, it might be advisable for cannabis patients to adhere to these consumption restrictions to avoid misunderstandings.

Nevertheless, the Cannabis Act represents a significant step in cannabis therapy.

Despite the remaining questions, the new law is a great opportunity for the medical application of cannabis. It signals a paradigm shift not only in the administrative handling of this form of therapy but also in societal perception and acceptance. The simplified procedures and improved access to medical cannabis are an important step towards improving patient care.

This progress is the result of years of efforts by policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, as well as the Cansativa Group and the entire sector, all of whom have worked towards this reform. It is now crucial to closely observe how these drug policy reforms, especially the recreational cannabis regulations, interact with cannabis as medicine and what effects they will have on therapy conditions, patient care, and individual and societal approaches to therapy.

Even though the law is still viewed critically in parts, the transparency in both industry and medicine provides an important interface to break down existing prejudices and promote a thorough understanding of the importance of cannabis in medical therapy. Above all, the goal remains to promote the well-being of patients. We look optimistically towards the future and are convinced that the positive developments brought about by the new law will make a valuable contribution to improving medical care.

Anything else?

Do you have specific questions or suggestions for the Cannabis Briefing? Then send us an email to briefing@www.cansativa.de. If you are interested in revolutionising the cannabis industry with us, then stay tuned and follow our briefings!

We wish you a good read!

With legalising greetings,