Medical Cannabis in Frankfurt: Treatment, Pharmacies & Delivery*

Your Guide to Medical Cannabis in Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main is known for its banks, traditional apple wine and striking skyline. But where does cannabis fit in now that Germany’s new Cannabis Act, or CanG, has come into force? There’s plenty of talk about the new Cannabis Social Clubs, but medical cannabis offers an established and often simpler route. Here’s how medical treatment works in Frankfurt, what goes into a possible prescription and how pickup or delivery* works.

*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.

Medical Cannabis vs. Social Clubs: Two Separate Systems

Since 2024, Germany has had two legal routes to accessing cannabis, and it’s important to understand the difference. They operate entirely independently.

On one side is medical cannabis, which has been available since 2017. A doctor prescribes it to treat symptoms or medical conditions, and you then buy it from a pharmacy. The focus is firmly on therapeutic benefits, with doctors and pharmacists overseeing the process. You must be at least 18 and bring identification.

On the other side are cultivation associations, also known as Cannabis Social Clubs. This is the new route for recreational use. You join an association that grows cannabis for the people registered with it, and you receive a set amount each month. This route is only for residents of Germany and has nothing to do with the medical system. A doctor’s prescription cannot be used here, and club registration does not give you access to medical cannabis.

The medical route is not an alternative to recreational use: it requires medical treatment, and a prescription is not guaranteed. If a prescription is issued, you get the product from a pharmacy, not from a club.

How to Get a Cannabis Prescription in Frankfurt

The first and most important step is talking to a doctor. Describe your symptoms honestly and completely. Whether a prescription is an option is for the doctor to decide case by case. Doctors can prescribe cannabis for a range of symptoms where they expect a therapeutic benefit. Depending on the individual case it is considered for things like chronic pain, sleep disorders, migraines or loss of appetite. There is no entitlement to a prescription.

The key is an honest conversation. Explain your symptoms and why you think cannabis might help. Be ready to discuss treatments you’ve already tried. Not every GP is open to the subject or experienced in this area. Some doctors in Frankfurt specialise in cannabis treatment, and an online search can help you find their practices. But there’s an even more direct option that saves you a trip across town: telemedicine.

Medical Treatment Through Telemedicine with ZazaXpress

Telemedicine platforms can make the route easier: you don’t always have to wait weeks for a specialist appointment. Whether treatment is possible online is for the doctor to decide case by case.

One option is our partner zazaxpress.com. This is how it works:

• Complete the online questionnaire: Enter your details and describe your health concerns in detail. This takes just a few minutes. Your treatment request is usually processed within 15 to 60 minutes*.
• Video call (voluntary): A video call with a doctor licensed to practise in Germany is voluntary. After treatment, the doctor assesses whether cannabis treatment is appropriate for you.
• Prescription (not guaranteed): If, after treatment, the doctor considers a prescription appropriate and all criteria are met, a prescription can be issued. It is sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
• Pickup or delivery*: With a valid prescription, the medicine is ready for pickup at the pharmacy* or can be delivered*. ZazaXpress offers express pickup and delivery* in selected cities: Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Cologne, Osnabrück, Dortmund, Augsburg and Leipzig. In Frankfurt the medicine is shipped by DHL with a valid prescription, so it can be pre-ordered ahead of your trip*. How long shipping takes depends on the individual case. Processing time, availability and delivery time 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.

*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 Cannabis Pharmacies in Frankfurt

Once you have a prescription, whether digital or on paper, your next stop is a pharmacy. In principle, any pharmacy in Germany can dispense a cannabis prescription. In practice, things can be different. Many smaller pharmacies have little experience with it, don’t keep any strains in stock and need to order them in, which can take days. Specialist pharmacies are your best bet.

A major city like Frankfurt has several pharmacies specialising in cannabis. As well as stocking a wider range of cannabis flower and extracts, they have trained staff who can advise you on different strains, their cannabinoid profiles (THC and CBD content) and the various ways to use them.

How do you find these pharmacies? A quick online search for “cannabis pharmacy Frankfurt” will bring up results, often with reviews from other patients. If you use a telemedicine platform such as ZazaXpress, you can agree with the platform which pharmacy receives your prescription. The pharmacy will confirm availability and processing time.

Remember: always bring your prescription and a valid national identity card or passport when collecting your medication from a pharmacy in person. You must be at least 18.

Cannabis Social Clubs in Frankfurt: The Current Situation

The legalisation of cultivation associations is, of course, a major talking point. So what’s happening with Cannabis Social Clubs in Frankfurt? The scene is still taking shape. Associations are being set up, looking for suitable growing sites and working through the new administrative requirements. It will be a while before the first clubs can reliably supply the people registered with them with locally grown cannabis.

At Zazapass, we’re always looking for the best lounges and clubs for you. In the Frankfurt region, Zazapass lists the Haus des Cannabis in Neu-Isenburg, as well as 420 events with directions, see our locations page. A lounge and the medical route via ZazaXpress are two separate paths. This is neither a medical route nor a promise of sales or consumption on site; always check the house rules and the rules that apply.

The medical route is not an alternative to recreational use; it requires medical treatment.

Cannabis lounges near Frankfurt

Zazapass currently lists no lounge in Frankfurt. The nearest listing is Haus des Cannabis Neu-Isenburg in Neu-Isenburg, just south of the city. In Wiesbaden, a regional train ride away, Zazapass also lists W7 Wiesbaden. Current listings are on the lounges page. You do not need a Zazapass for lounges in Germany, and every venue decides under its own rules whether to admit a visitor.

FAQ: Quick Answers to Your Questions

How much does medical cannabis cost at a pharmacy?

Prices vary depending on the strain, the quantity prescribed and the pharmacy’s pricing. If you’re paying out of pocket, the pharmacy will tell you the binding price in advance. Extracts and oils are priced differently. Health insurance may cover the cost, but the approval process is lengthy and bureaucratic, and coverage is only approved for very serious conditions after all other treatments have been exhausted. For most people, paying out of pocket is the realistic option.

Can I drive while taking medical cannabis?

This is a particularly sensitive issue. A prescription is not a free pass to drive under the influence of cannabis. The law is clear: you must not drive if your ability to do so is impaired. If you’ve recently used cannabis and your reaction times are affected, driving is a criminal offence. The police can require a test during a traffic stop. If you’re found unfit to drive, you face serious penalties, even with a prescription. Make sure you speak to your doctor about getting established on a stable treatment regimen, and allow enough time after using cannabis before getting behind the wheel. If in doubt, don’t drive.

Can I visit a Cannabis Social Club with my prescription?

No. The two systems are strictly separate. Your medical prescription is only valid for purchasing cannabis from a licensed pharmacy. A Cannabis Social Club is a private association that may only supply recreational cannabis to the people registered with it. You can’t simply walk into a club with a prescription and obtain cannabis there.

Frankfurt and Cannabis: Your Next Step

The medical route in Frankfurt always starts with medical treatment, and a prescription is never guaranteed. If all criteria are met and a prescription is issued, the pharmacy can offer pickup or delivery*.

To learn more about the wider scene and discover great places around the city on the Main, take a look at our Frankfurt City Guide. Stay informed and make the choices that are right for you.

*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.