First patient in Germany with permission to grow cannabis

The Federal Institute for Drugs (BfArM) has granted the first patient permission to self-cultivate his cannabis medicine, as reported by the IACM today. The patient, to whom the Federal Administrative Court had granted the right to self-cultivation on April 6 of this year, had to wait a long time. But now it's time, he is allowed to grow officially!

It will be the first hemp plants in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany that are legally grown for the care of patients.

Bandage plans cannabis plantation. Image: stokkete - fotolia

The approval is limited until June 30, 2017. Apparently, the federal government wants to withdraw them if the patient is no longer in a state of emergency. Next year, the health insurance companies will cover the cost of hemp flowers for serious illnesses.

However, the cultivation of hemp plants is planned on a large scale, so that the first few plants will follow thousands in licensed plants.

In the meantime, the BfArM will probably allow some other patients to grow their own seeds, as the authorities have announced that they will grant further approvals in similar cases.

The German Hemp Association is in principle in favor of the right of patients to grow their own medicine if they so wish. (Pm)