Germany: First patient given permission to grow cannabis for personal use

On 28 September the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, an agency of the Federal Health Ministry, issued its first permit allowing a 57-year-old patient suffering from multiple sclerosis to grow cannabis for his own medical needs. The permission is valid until 30 June 2017. It may be extended, if the patient´s health insurance does not cover the costs of cannabis from the pharmacy after this date.

Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte

The Federal Health Ministry was forced to grant this permission by a ruling of the Federal Administrative Court on 6th April. The Federal Government and the German Bundestag are currently preparing changes in the law, under which the costs for treatment with cannabis will be reimbursed by health insurance if certain conditions are met, thus eliminating the need for home-cultivation. This law is intended to come into force in early 2017.

Permission for self-cultivation by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices of 28 September 2016

Fuente: Boletín IACM