The same rule, everywhere we track it. Click a jurisdiction for the full picture and official sources.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Rule | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Legal | Medical cannabis via prescription Medical cannabis is prescribed by physicians and dispensed through pharmacies. Since the CanG removed cannabis from the Narcotics Act in 2024, no special narcotics prescription form (BtM-Rezept) is required, which simplified prescribing considerably. Statutory health insurers reimburse in approved cases, typically after an authorization process. |
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| Portugal | Decriminalized | Medical cannabis legal Medical cannabis products have been available by prescription since 2018, dispensed through pharmacies. Portugal has also become a major licensed cultivation and export hub for medical cannabis, regulated by Infarmed. The medical framework does not create any recreational access channel. |
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| Switzerland | CBD only | Medical use by prescription Medical cannabis is available by prescription, most commonly as magistral (pharmacy-prepared) preparations such as tinctures and oils; a few finished products (e.g. Sativex, Epidyolex) are authorized medicines. Since 2022, prescriptions no longer require an exceptional FOPH authorization, which simplified access considerably. Reimbursement by health insurers is decided case by case and is not guaranteed. |
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| United Kingdom | Medical only | Medical by specialist prescription Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) may be prescribed by specialist doctors on the GMC register since November 2018. NHS prescribing remains very limited — mostly severe childhood epilepsy, MS-related spasticity and chemotherapy-induced nausea — while private clinics supply most patients. CBPMs are controlled drugs and must meet pharmaceutical standards. |
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