Issue October 202620 articlesFactual. Clear. With sources.
Magazine on medical cannabis
Prescription and process, therapy and knowledge, law and everyday life: background for patients, clearly explained and backed by sources.
Cover storyKnowledge
Medical cannabis side effects: common, rare and warning signs
The most common side effects of medical cannabis are tiredness, dizziness, dry mouth and nausea. They mainly occur at the start, and some can be influenced by a medical adjustment of the treatment. Which effects are common, which are rare and when you need medical help straight away.
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16 articles
Vaporizing cannabis instead of smoking: how to use a vaporizer for medical flowers
When vaporizing, cannabis flowers are heated so that the active ingredients are released without the plant material burning. This produces fewer combustion products than smoking. How a vaporizer works, what matters when using it and what it cannot do.
Medical cannabis dosage: how treatment is started and adjusted
Medical cannabis is not dosed by a fixed scheme but adjusted by a doctor: start low, increase slowly, watch effects and side effects. How this titration works, why patience matters and what you can contribute. No dosing recommendations.
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms: timeline, what helps and stopping safely
If you stop cannabis after longer, regular use, temporary withdrawal symptoms are common: poor sleep, irritability, restlessness, less appetite. They usually start after one to three days and ease within one to two weeks. What helps, and why a medical treatment should not be stopped abruptly.
Medical cannabis at work in Germany: rights, duties and safety
If you take medical cannabis, you may in principle work, but you must be able to work safely. There is no general duty to tell your employer about your diagnosis. What occupational safety rules, drug tests and safety-critical jobs mean for patients in Germany.
Is cannabis legal in Germany? What is really allowed since 2024
Since April 2024, adults in Germany may carry up to 25 grams, keep up to 50 grams at home and grow three plants. Selling, passing cannabis on and using it near schools or playgrounds remain prohibited. The key rules at a glance.
Cannabis drug interactions: what to know about other medicines
THC and CBD are broken down in the liver by the same enzymes as many other medicines and can change their levels. Added to this are increased tiredness and effects on circulation. Which combinations need particular caution.
Cannabis psychosis: when “just smoking weed” becomes a real risk
In some people, THC can trigger psychotic symptoms. High-potency products, daily use, young age and a family history are particularly risky. Which warning signs count and what to do then.
Indica vs sativa vs hybrid: what do the strain labels really mean?
Indica is said to be calming, sativa energising. For medical cannabis, however, this classification is only a rough guide. Which factors matter more for the effect profile.
Cannabis for insomnia: what studies and the 2026 guideline say
Based on current evidence, medical cannabis is not a well-supported treatment for insomnia. A 2026 Cochrane review found no clinically relevant improvement, and the German guideline puts cognitive behavioural therapy first. Why some people still feel they sleep better, and what tolerance and withdrawal have to do with it.
Cannabis for chronic pain: studies, guidelines and limits
Chronic pain is the most common reason for treatment with cannabis-based medicines in Germany. Large reviews find a small benefit in some of those treated and, at the same time, clearly more side effects. What Cochrane, the BMJ and German guidelines say, and where cannabis sits in a treatment plan.
First medical cannabis prescription in Germany: what patients should know
Your first prescription for medical cannabis is the start of a treatment with medical supervision. What is checked beforehand, which documents help, how the private prescription works in Germany and why the first weeks are a settling-in phase.
Repeat cannabis prescription in Germany: process and requirements
A repeat prescription (Folgerezept) continues an ongoing treatment if it is well tolerated and still makes medical sense. What you are asked, when a consultation is needed and how often you need a new prescription.
CBD vs THC: the difference explained simply
THC is the intoxicating main active ingredient of the cannabis plant, CBD does not get you high. How both work in the body, which risks they carry, what applies to CBD products in Germany and why CBD does not automatically make THC safer.
Pharmaceutical-grade cannabis flowers: why quality from the pharmacy matters
For cannabis flowers, pharmaceutical grade means a known active ingredient content, testing for contamination, clear labelling and complete documentation. What is behind it and why it counts for your treatment.
Cannabis price per gram in Germany: pharmacy prices, shipping and tax in 2026
What medical cannabis costs in Germany is made up of the pharmacy's price per gram, shipping and the doctor's fee under the German scale of medical fees (GOÄ). All items as of October 2026, a cost calculator and the rules on health insurance and tax.
Does German health insurance cover medical cannabis? The rules since July 2026
Since 30 July 2026, statutory health insurance in Germany no longer pays for cannabis flowers. Standardised extracts and certain finished medicines can still be covered under conditions and with prior approval, and a private prescription remains possible.
More articles in German
Selected articles are available in English. The full magazine with 80 articles is in German.
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