Medical Cannnabis
Since March 2017, doctors in Germany have been allowed to prescribe medical cannabis in various forms, such as cannabis flowers and extracts.
As cannabis is a controlled substance, it is subject to the Medicinal Cannabis Act (MedCanG), which strictly regulates the use of medicinal cannabis.
Medical cannabis has become increasingly important in Germany in recent years, especially since the "Cannabis as Medicine" law came into force in March 2017.
Initially, medical cannabis was only imported, mainly from the Netherlands and Canada. Since 2019, cultivation has also been possible in Germany and is regulated by the Cannabis Agency as part of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).
Since April 2024, medical cannabis has been subject to the Medical Cannabis Act (previously the Narcotics Act).
Analytical services
Handling these products therefore requires a MedCanG authorization from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).
Analyses according to DAB/Ph.Eur. monograph "Cannabis flos":
- Identification
- A: Macroscopic
- B: Microscopic
- C: Thin-layer chromatography (2.2.27/2.8.25)
- Tests
- Fremde Bestandteile (2.8.2)
- Trocknungsverlust (2.2.32)
- Cannabinol (2.2.29)
- Heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury & arsenic (2.4.27)
- Assay: Determination of content by HPLC (Δ9-THC, Δ9-THCA, CBD and CBDA)
Analysis according to Ph.Eur. monograph "Herbal Drugs":
- Pesticides (2.8.13)
- Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 und G2 (2.8.18)
- Ochratoxin A (2.8.22)
- Microbiological Quality (5.1.4/5.1.8)
- TAMC
- TYMC
- E.coli
- Bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Further analyses for medical cannabis
- Total ash (2.4.16)
- Contaminant pyrrolizidine alkaloids (2.8.26)
- Terpene-Screening