Medical Cannabis: Fast Delivery or Pickup* – How It Works

Medical Cannabis: Fast Delivery or Pickup* – How It Works

Are you in medical treatment and wondering how supply works if your doctor considers a prescription appropriate? A lot has changed since partial legalisation in 2024, but the medical route has been established for much longer. ZazaXpress offers express pickup or delivery* in selected cities (Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Cologne, Osnabrück, Dortmund, Augsburg and Leipzig; Munich, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf are coming soon). Here, I'll walk you through the process, from medical treatment to handover at the pharmacy, and explain what you need to know.

*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 delivery or pickup is only possible with a valid prescription.

Medical Cannabis in Germany: Where Things Stand in 2026

Since the Cannabis Act (CanG) came into force in 2024, there have been two legal ways to obtain cannabis in Germany. One is through the new cultivation associations, also known as Cannabis Social Clubs. This route is intended for recreational use. The other is the medical route, which has existed since 2017 and operates under stricter rules. This article focuses exclusively on the medical route.

As a patient, it's important to understand the difference. Medical cannabis is prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacy. It is regulated under Germany's Medicinal Products Act, with standardised quality and strict quality controls. Cannabis from clubs is intended for adults' personal use and is separate from medical treatment.

Who Can Get a Prescription for Medical Cannabis?

A medical cannabis prescription isn't something you can get just by asking. It is intended for patients with serious medical conditions. Your doctor decides whether cannabis treatment is appropriate for you. There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. It is often used for chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Tourette syndrome or the side effects of chemotherapy.

There are two types of prescription:

• Statutory health insurance prescription: Your statutory health insurer covers the cost. However, you'll need patience. The insurer must approve coverage in advance, which is often a complicated process, and applications are frequently rejected.
• Private prescription: If a prescription is appropriate, you get it from your doctor and pay the pharmacy for the cannabis yourself. This usually involves less paperwork than insurance coverage.

To receive a prescription and purchase cannabis, you must be an adult, meaning at least 18 years old, and have valid ID with you.

Medical Treatment: Telemedicine as an Option

The traditional way to get a prescription is through your GP or a specialist. The problem is that many doctors are still unfamiliar with cannabis treatment or reluctant to prescribe it. That can be frustrating.

This is where telemedicine can be an option. Online platforms connect you with doctors who have experience in cannabis treatment. Large parts of the process take place online. Whether treatment can be handled by video alone is for the doctor to decide in each individual case.

One of these platforms is our partner zazaxpress.com. They make it particularly easy to get started with treatment. The process is straightforward:

1. Complete a medical questionnaire online first. Your treatment request is usually processed within 15 to 60 minutes*.
2. A video call with a participating doctor is voluntary.
3. After treatment, the doctor clarifies whether cannabis treatment is suitable for you.
4. If, after treatment, the doctor considers a prescription appropriate and all criteria are met, a prescription can be issued. There is no entitlement to one.

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

From the Pharmacy to You: Delivery or Pickup*

Once the pharmacy has received and checked your valid prescription, it is processed. Whether the prescribed product is in stock depends on the pharmacy. Sometimes it has to be ordered first.

Now for the handover. With a valid prescription, the medicine is ready for pickup at the pharmacy* or can be delivered*. A pharmacy's local delivery service can speed things up. In the ZazaXpress cities (Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Cologne, Osnabrück, Dortmund, Augsburg and Leipzig), express pickup or delivery* is available. Depending on location and availability it can happen on the same day*. In all other cities the medicine is shipped by DHL with a valid prescription, so it can be pre-ordered*. How long shipping takes depends on the individual case. There is no promise of a specific delivery time.

*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.

Important: Strict rules apply when your medicine is handed over. The courier must verify your identity, so have your national ID card or passport ready. The parcel can only be handed to you in person. Leaving it with a neighbour or in your letterbox is strictly prohibited. This ensures that the medicine reaches the right person.

Costs: How Much Will You Pay for Medical Cannabis?

If you have a private prescription, you'll pay the costs yourself. These include several components:

• Medical consultation: The fee for your appointment with the doctor, particularly when using telemedicine platforms. Medical patients can request a prescription on zazaxpress.com and use the code ZAZA to save 50% on the platform fee.
• Cannabis: This is the largest expense. Prices for cannabis flowers vary widely depending on the strain, producer and pharmacy. The pharmacy will tell you the binding price.
• Delivery fee: Some pharmacies offer free delivery, while others charge a small fee. This is often waived for orders over a certain amount.

It's worth comparing prices at different pharmacies, as they can vary considerably.

Zazapass and the World of Cannabis Social Clubs

At Zazapass, our main focus is recreational cannabis use in lounges and clubs.

In Germany, Zazapass lists 420-friendly lounges and 420 events with directions, see the locations overview. This is neither a medical supply route nor a promise of sales or consumption on site; always check the house rules and the rules that apply. Cultivation associations under the KCanG are for members resident in Germany only, and you can only be a member of one. We plan a directory for later.

Separately from the medical route, Zazapass lists 420-friendly lounges in Hamburg, Berlin, Bremen, Stuttgart, Munich, Kaiserslautern, Wiesbaden, Worms and Neu-Isenburg. A lounge and the medical route via ZazaXpress are two separate paths. A lounge listing is no promise of sales or consumption on site; always check the house rules and the rules that apply.

This article is an exception to our usual focus because patient safety matters to us, and we're often asked how the medical route works.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Delivery

How quickly can I actually get my cannabis?

That depends on several factors. First, medical treatment has to take place and a prescription has to be issued, which is never guaranteed. With a valid prescription, same-day pickup or delivery is possible* in major cities and in the ZazaXpress cities. In more rural areas, or if a product is out of stock, it may take one or two working days or longer.

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 have cannabis sent to Germany from abroad?

No, absolutely not. Importing medical cannabis as a private individual is illegal, even if you have a German prescription. You must always obtain your cannabis from a licensed German pharmacy. Any other route can have serious legal consequences.

Which products can I get on prescription?

Doctors generally prescribe either dried cannabis flowers or cannabis extracts in the form of oils. Ready-made medicines are also available. Your doctor specifies the exact strain or product and dosage on your prescription. The pharmacy may only dispense that specific product.

What happens if I'm not at home when the delivery arrives?

The courier won't simply leave your parcel outside. They are required to hand it to you in person and check your ID. Usually, they'll leave a delivery notification card, and you can arrange another delivery or collect your medicine directly from the pharmacy.

Do I need a special card to carry my medical cannabis?

There is no legal requirement to carry such a card. However, it is strongly advisable to keep a copy of your current prescription and your national ID card with you whenever you're out with your medicine. This helps avoid misunderstandings and problems if you're stopped by the police. Many pharmacies also issue a patient card, which can be useful.

The path from medical treatment to handover at the pharmacy has several steps, and a prescription is never guaranteed. If all criteria are met and a prescription is issued, pickup or delivery* can be quick depending on location. Stick to legal channels, stay safe and stay informed.

*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.