The medical cannabis market in Germany is experiencing exponential growth, and opportunities currently abound. Since the decriminalization of cannabis in April 2024, the market has expanded significantly. Lower access barriers have led to increased demand, especially among patients suffering from common conditions such as migraines, sleep disorders, and chronic pain. In the last quarter of 2024, Germany imported 31.7 tons of medical cannabis—nearly four times the amount imported in the first quarter of 2024 (8.1 tons). Grünhorn has established itself as a market leader and is setting new industry standards through innovations such as digital warehousing and automation.
It's no wonder that cannabis companies are attracting renewed interest from many institutions, and it shouldn't be surprising that the minister president of Saxony visited the Grünhorn facility last month. "Grünhorn is the umbrella brand for Germany's largest cannabis network and was founded in 2020 in Leipzig," a representative from Grünhorn explains. Grünhorn is composed of different entities: it has one of the largest cannabis pharmacies, covering 20% of the total cannabis volume; Schurer Pharma & Kosmetik GmbH, a provider of fulfillment and logistics services for pharmacies carrying cannabis; and canymed GmbH, a nationwide pharmaceutical wholesaler for medical cannabis. "On the Grünhorn platform, patients can find comprehensive information on cannabis therapy, receive a cannabis prescription, and have it filled at Grünhorn Pharmacy in Leipzig," they remark.
Investing in education and research
A key component of the company is the Grünhorn Academy, which is a terpene research center that conducts its own studies. "Its goal is to further explore the therapeutic potential of cannabis and generate scientifically validated findings," they explain. "In addition to research and education, the Academy offers podcasts and live information sessions to help potential patients start their cannabis therapy journey. This contributes to the destigmatization of medical cannabis and actively promotes awareness and acceptance."
The regulatory framework in Germany is particularly strict, and this too shouldn't be surprising as we are talking about medicines, after all. "Although it was challenging to set up the business due to the regulatory environment, Grünhorn has quickly positioned itself as one of the leading cannabis providers." Since cannabis was rescheduled in 2024, the company has witnessed a significant increase in prescriptions. "Thanks to an innovative automation approach and a digital warehouse system, Grünhorn was able to efficiently manage this growth."
Producing medical-grade cannabis
As it should be the standard in the pharmaceutical industry, cannabis medicines too should be consistent in terms of quality and effects. Unlike other, more classic medicines, medical cannabis is usually consumed in its raw form—flowers, that is. This means that the cultivation side of things needs to adhere to the highest pharmaceutical standards, which becomes even more crucial when dealing with a strict regulatory environment like the German one. "Our products are cultivated under cleanroom conditions to prevent microbial contamination such as mold," they say. The company sources its products from cultivators and manufacturers worldwide who adhere to GACP and GMP standards, on top of developing its own strains tailored to patients' specific needs. "Additionally, we offer a broad range of cannabis flowers, full-spectrum extracts, and capsules to enable personalized treatment for patients. Some of these extracts and capsules are produced in-house in our laboratory. Cannabis flowers sold through Grünhorn Pharmacy in Leipzig are packaged in glass containers with Boveda humidity control packs to ensure maximum safety and quality for patients."
Despite all the excitement in the medical cannabis market in Germany, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome, especially when it comes to public perception. "The market needs more education and research to further establish cannabis as a legitimate therapy option. Grünhorn is actively addressing this through the Grünhorn Academy and in-house research to debunk misinformation and expand the scientific foundation for medical cannabis applications," they point out.
Within this context, the company continues to grow, both from a product variety standpoint and from an education perspective. "Grünhorn plans to expand its product portfolio with new cannabis flower strains, extracts, and capsules. Additionally, we are investing in research and development to further explore the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The Grünhorn Academy will continue to grow, providing better education and resources for healthcare professionals and patients alike," they conclude.
For more information:
Grünhorn Group
www.gruenhorn.de