The production and distribution of medical marijuana in Germany will be delayed once again, according to a report by publisher Funke Mediengruppe on Thursday. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices has said it needs more time to decide the rules for awarding licenses to cannabis producers.
Medical marijuana has technically been legal in Germany since March 2017, but the Federal Ministry of Health has repeatedly postponed the implementation of the legislation. Now, authorities are saying that the first licenses may not be awarded until the second quarter of 2019.
While prescriptions skyrocket for products containing cannabis, there is still no legal framework for the large-scale production of legal cannabis in Germany.
The institute's statement came after a parliamentary inquiry by the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The FDP has heavily criticized the delays.