Online pharmacies aggressively advertise cannabis prescriptions – even without medical advice. The CSU sees this as counteracting the traffic light plans and “further madness of this law”.
Since April 1st, cannabis is no longer considered a narcotic, but rather a prescription medication. Since then, doctors have been able to give weed to patients more easily. Too simple? You actually need an initial consultation in order to then get the required prescription. This conversation can also take place online via video call. However, research by our editorial team shows that there are also some providers who prescribe cannabis without prior medical advice.
Cannabis prescriptions issued too easily? “We’re pissed off”
Two doctors who are currently very popular with consumers are a “Doctor of Medicine” from Croatia, who sells cannabis via a platform from Lower Saxony, among other things, and a Hamburg doctor whose company is based in Malta and who has already been accused of false corona certificates. Due to the high number of requests, there has already been a freeze on inquiries on the relevant portals.
In the last few days, many people have stocked up on weed recipes on the relevant portals. Probably also those who only consume cannabis for recreational purposes. As the Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies (VCA) reports upon request, there has been an increase in private prescriptions for cannabis since April 1st. Exactly how high the increase is in percentage terms is currently unclear, as it varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. The Association of German Cannabis Patients (BDCan) is watching this development with concern. “We are pissed off,” says Michael Kambeck, political spokesman for the association, to
IPPEN.MEDIA
. There are a “lot of pseudo-patients”.
“Everyone has pain”: CSU politician Pilsinger criticizes easily issued cannabis prescriptions
The CSU, which is already critical of legalization, is fuming: “Blessed is the stoner who has a doctor as a friend,” says Munich health politician Stephan Pilsinger in an interview with our editorial team: “If you want to save yourself the hassle of having a cannabis social club, just get the substance now via a prescription.” Delivery via the clubs is not yet possible anyway, they only start on July 1st. So far, only home cultivation is permitted.
Because the grass takes several weeks to grow and some consumers want to avoid growing it anyway, the pharmacy is currently the only legal source of supply: “Everyone has 'pain' from time to time,” says Pilsinger, alluding to prescriptions prescribed for supposed trivialities such as sleep disorders . “Another insanity that this law brings with it.”
Light cannabis recipes: “abuse is inevitable”
Pilsinger is considered one of the biggest critics of cannabis approval in political Berlin. He continues to strongly oppose the law. “For me, cannabis is and remains an intoxicant and narcotic.” According to the CSU politician, medical cannabis can be useful and effective for certain patient groups. “This cannabis has high quality standards and is therefore also interesting for recreational users.”
Pilsinger is a doctor himself and is allowed to prescribe cannabis. He has already dealt with patients with chronic pain or spasticity who were prescribed cannabis by a neurologist. “Of course I also wrote them a follow-up prescription. But I wouldn’t prescribe cannabis to any recreational user.”
Pilsinger now wanted to know from the federal government whether it was aware of such cases. In the answer, which is available exclusively to
IPPEN.MEDIA
, the federal government explains that, according to the law, medical cannabis can only be sold by a pharmacy after a doctor's prescription and only upon presentation of the prescription. The federal government does not address specific violations of this medical duty. Pilsinger says: "Here - even if only in individual cases - abuse through 'medical favors' is inevitable."
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