Medical Cannabis in Berlin: Treatment, Pharmacies & Delivery*

Medical Cannabis in Berlin: Your Guide for 2026

In Berlin and wondering what the route to medical cannabis looks like? A lot has changed since the Cannabis Act (CanG) came into force in 2024, but the medical route still runs separately and under stricter rules. We'll walk you through how medical treatment works, how to find a pharmacy and how express pickup or delivery* works with ZazaXpress in Berlin.

*Important: A prescription is not guaranteed. It can only be issued after medical treatment and once all criteria are met. Whether that is the case is decided solely by the treating doctor. Fast pickup or delivery is only possible with a valid prescription.

The Legal Status of Medical Cannabis in Germany

First things first: medical cannabis can be prescribed by doctors in Germany since 2017. There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. Doctors decide case by case whether a prescription is medically appropriate. There is no entitlement to a prescription.

The key point is that you always need a doctor's prescription. Obtaining medical cannabis without one is not permitted. You can then have your prescription filled at a pharmacy. Medical cannabis is prescription-only and subject to strict controls. This also means you receive a high-quality, tested product, unlike anything you might buy on the street.

Remember to carry a copy of your prescription and your ID whenever you have your medical cannabis with you. These serve as proof that you have it legally if you are stopped for a check. Keep in mind that you must be at least 18 to receive medical cannabis.

How to Get a Cannabis Prescription in Berlin

The first step is always a consultation with a doctor. In Berlin, you have two main options: the traditional route through your GP or a local specialist, or the route through a telemedicine platform.

The Traditional Route: A Doctor's Surgery in Berlin

Any doctor in Germany, apart from dentists and vets, can issue a private prescription for cannabis. In theory, you can simply ask your GP. In practice, things are often different. Many doctors are still unfamiliar with the subject or are reluctant to prescribe cannabis. You may need to contact several practices before finding a doctor who is open to it. If you have chronic pain, sleep problems, migraines or conditions such as ADHD or depression, these are valid reasons to discuss cannabis treatment with a doctor.

The Digital Route: Telemedicine

For many people, going online is convenient. Some telemedicine platforms offer medical treatment involving medical cannabis. The process: you complete an online medical questionnaire and submit any existing medical records if needed. A video call with the doctor is voluntary. If, after treatment, the doctor considers cannabis therapy appropriate and all criteria are met, a prescription can be issued. A prescription is not guaranteed.

ZazaXpress in Berlin: Medical Treatment and Express Pickup or Delivery*

One telemedicine option in Germany is our partner ZazaXpress. You start by completing the medical questionnaire on the website. A video call with one of their partner doctors is voluntary. Your treatment request is usually processed within 15 to 60 minutes*.

If a prescription is issued after treatment, the medicine is ready for pickup at the pharmacy* or can be delivered to you in Berlin by express*. Processing time, availability and delivery time depend on the medical treatment, your location and the pharmacy.

*Applies only with a valid prescription. A prescription is not guaranteed: it can only be issued after medical treatment and once all criteria are met. Processing time, availability, delivery times and pickup depend on location and pharmacy.

Medical patients can request a prescription on zazaxpress.com and use the code ZAZA to save 50% on the platform fee.

Finding Medical Cannabis Pharmacies in Berlin

Once you have your prescription, either digitally from ZazaXpress or on paper from your doctor, you'll need to have it filled at a pharmacy. Not every pharmacy in Berlin stocks or specialises in medical cannabis. It's worth calling ahead to check.

Online maps and search tools, such as cannabis pharmacy finders, can help you locate specialist pharmacies nearby. These pharmacies often have a wider selection of strains and products, and their staff are better trained to advise you. In a city as large as Berlin, though, you can find a pharmacy that can supply your medication in almost every district.

With a digital prescription you can agree with the platform or the practice which pharmacy it is sent to, and whether pickup or delivery* is an option. This is handy if you don't want to travel halfway across the city.

Strains and Products: What Can You Expect?

The days of having just one or two strains to choose from are long gone. German pharmacies offer an impressive selection of cannabis flower, extracts and oils. Products come from licensed producers around the world, including Canada, Portugal and Denmark, and undergo strict quality checks.

• Cannabis Flower: This is the most common form. You'll receive dried, whole buds in 5g or 10g containers. Strains vary considerably in their THC and CBD levels and their terpene profiles, which influence their aroma and subtler effects. They are broadly classified as sativa, indica or hybrid strains, which can have different effects. Your doctor will recommend a strain suited to your symptoms.
• Cannabis Extracts and Oils: These are a good alternative if you don't want to smoke or vaporise cannabis. They allow for very precise dosing. Oils are usually taken orally and have longer-lasting effects than inhaled flower.
• Vape Carts: More cartridges for vape pens are gradually becoming available. They are discreet and easy to use.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take your medication. Their advice is an important part of your treatment.

Costs: What Does Health Insurance Cover, and What Do You Pay?

This is an important consideration. You'll need to understand the difference between a prescription covered by statutory health insurance and a private prescription.

• Insurance-Covered Prescription: Germany's statutory health insurers can cover the cost, but unfortunately this is still the exception. You must demonstrate that you have a serious condition and that all standard treatments have failed to help you. The application process is complicated, and applications are often rejected initially.
• Private Prescription (Self-Pay): You pay the cost of both the doctor's consultation and the medication yourself. Pharmacy prices vary by strain and producer, and consultation costs vary by platform. The pharmacy and the platform will tell you binding prices in advance.

What About Social Clubs and Medical Cannabis?

The Cannabis Act has made cultivation associations (Cannabis Social Clubs) possible in Germany. They grow cannabis collectively for their members. Only people resident in Germany can become members, and you can only belong to one association. It is important to understand that cultivation associations are not pharmacies or points of sale.

You can't take your medical prescription to a cultivation association and obtain cannabis there. Distribution is limited to the club's registered members under the legal framework.

In Berlin, Zazapass lists these 420-friendly lounges: Badabing Social Club (Kreuzberg), Tribe Lounge Berlin (Charlottenburg), Up N Smoke Bar (Prenzlauer Berg) and Panke Berlin (Wedding). There are also 420 events, see our locations overview. A lounge and the medical route via ZazaXpress are two separate paths. A lounge does not replace a medical route and is no promise of sales or consumption on site; always check the house rules and the rules that apply.

Cannabis lounges in Berlin

Zazapass lists 4 lounges in Berlin:

• Tribe Lounge Berlin (Charlottenburg)
• Panke Berlin (Wedding)
• Up N Smoke Bar (Prenzlauer Berg)
• Badabing Social Club (Kreuzberg)

You do not need a Zazapass for lounges in Germany. These are venues with their own house rules; you cannot buy cannabis there, and cultivation associations are not lounges. Each venue decides under its own rules and applicable law whether and on what terms to admit a visitor, and may refuse a visitor. Bring valid photo ID: depending on the venue you must be 18+ or 21+. You can find current listings on the lounges page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Am I guaranteed a prescription?

No. A prescription is not guaranteed. It can only be issued after medical treatment and once all criteria are met. The decision rests solely with the treating doctor.

Can I use my prescription to buy cannabis at a Social Club?

No, this isn't legally possible. Medical cannabis is only available from pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. Cultivation associations are not pharmacies. They only supply their own registered members under the applicable legal framework.

Can I get a cannabis prescription in Germany as a tourist?

Whether you can be treated as a tourist is for the doctor to decide case by case, and a prescription is not guaranteed. If one is issued, you need an address in Germany for delivery*, such as a hotel or holiday rental, or you collect it from the pharmacy*. Check the rules of your route and destination before any trip.

How much medical cannabis can I carry?

You can carry an amount that corresponds to your prescribed needs for a reasonable period. It's essential to always have a copy of your prescription with you, ideally along with the original pharmacy packaging. This allows you to demonstrate that you are in legal possession of your cannabis whenever necessary.

Can I use my medical cannabis in public?

The rules for public consumption are the same as for recreational users: not within sight of schools, nurseries, playgrounds or sports facilities. As a general rule, be considerate, consume discreetly and avoid disturbing others. Consumption in cafés or restaurants is generally not permitted.

What's the difference between an insurance-covered prescription and a private prescription?

Put simply, with an insurance-covered prescription, your statutory health insurer pays for the cannabis. However, this type of prescription is very difficult to obtain and subject to strict conditions. With a private prescription, the usual option, you pay all costs yourself: the medical consultation and the medication from the pharmacy. In return, access is much more straightforward.

The medical route in Berlin always starts with medical treatment, and a prescription is never guaranteed. Do your research, prepare for your doctor's consultation and always carry your documents. For more information on cannabis in Berlin, see our Berlin Guide.

*Applies only with a valid prescription. A prescription is not guaranteed: it can only be issued after medical treatment and once all criteria are met. Processing time, availability, delivery times and pickup depend on location and pharmacy.