As the legalization of medical cannabis advances, the 2024 Cannabis Barometer from Bloomwell reveals critical insights into the cannabis landscape in Germany. The survey, which involved over 1,000 participants, shows that although 94.4% of respondents use cannabis for health reasons, nearly 60% still resort to illegal sources. Additionally, social stigma and limited access to cannabis-trained doctors remain significant barriers. Despite regulatory improvements, patients continue to face challenges in obtaining safe and legal cannabis.
The State of Cannabis in Germany: Key Findings from the 2024 Survey:
Widespread Use for Medical Purposes A staggering 94.4% of respondents reported using cannabis to address health concerns such as chronic pain, stress, and sleep disorders. This underscores the importance of cannabis as a therapeutic option, with many users seeking to reduce reliance on traditional pharmaceuticals. For instance, 20% of patients reported being able to reduce or eliminate other medications due to cannabis use.
Continued Reliance on Illegal Sources Despite legal advances, the majority of cannabis users still purchase from illegal markets, citing cost barriers and difficulties in accessing medical cannabis. Only 10% of participants obtained cannabis solely through legal channels, and more than 26% had purchased contaminated or low-quality cannabis on the black market, raising serious health concerns.
Stigma and Misunderstanding Many respondents feel socially stigmatized due to their cannabis use, with 77% reporting negative societal attitudes. This stigma contributes to the persistence of illegal cannabis use, as patients fear being judged by healthcare providers and society. Interestingly, the survey dispels the notion that cannabis is primarily used by men; women accounted for 41% of users.
Telemedicine as a Solution Access to cannabis-friendly doctors remains a hurdle, with 92% of respondents supporting the use of telemedicine as a safer, more convenient way to receive treatment. The demand for digital health services has skyrocketed, with patients eager for a streamlined process of receiving prescriptions and delivery from pharmacies.
Regional and Demographic Trends The survey highlighted regional variations in cannabis use, with North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria showing the highest rates of consumption. Additionally, the data revealed that cannabis use is not restricted to younger people; 28% of users were between the ages of 31-40, and another 28% were aged 22-30.
Challenges in Accessing Legal Cannabis
Germany’s medical cannabis system, despite legal improvements, has failed to keep pace with patient demand. A significant portion of patients are still without access to physicians knowledgeable in cannabis therapies, forcing many to turn to illegal sources. This gap in healthcare is further exacerbated by doctors’ reluctance to prescribe cannabis due to lingering stigmas and a lack of education about its medical uses.
Patients who rely on medical cannabis also face economic barriers. The survey revealed that a large number of users simply cannot afford the high cost of legally prescribed cannabis, which is often not fully covered by insurance. This drives many to the black market, despite concerns over quality and safety.
Addressing Stigma and Misinformation
Stigma remains one of the largest hurdles for medical cannabis patients in Germany. According to the survey, 77% of patients feel judged by society for their cannabis use, even though the vast majority use it for legitimate medical reasons. This negative perception often prevents patients from discussing their cannabis use with doctors, which can lead to unsafe consumption practices or ineffective treatment plans.
Addressing stigma will require a multi-faceted approach, including public education campaigns to inform the public about the legitimate medical uses of cannabis and its potential to improve quality of life. The medical community also needs to be more proactive in normalizing cannabis treatments, offering patients a stigma-free environment to discuss their needs.
The Growing Role of Telemedicine
Telemedicine presents a promising solution to many of the access issues facing medical cannabis patients in Germany. With 92% of respondents supporting telemedicine for cannabis prescriptions, there is a clear demand for more flexible, patient-friendly healthcare solutions. Telemedicine can bridge the gap for those living in areas where cannabis-friendly doctors are scarce, offering consultations and prescriptions through digital platforms.
Moreover, telemedicine aligns with the modern patient’s preference for convenience and privacy, making it an attractive option for those seeking cannabis treatments without the fear of social judgment.
Policy Recommendations and the Path Forward
The Cannabis Barometer data highlights several key areas where policy improvements are needed:
Increase Education for Healthcare Providers: More doctors need comprehensive training on cannabis therapies to better meet the growing demand. This will reduce the number of patients turning to illegal sources.
Tackle Stigma through Public Campaigns: Education campaigns targeting both the public and the medical community can help reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis use, encouraging safer and more transparent patient-doctor communication.
Improve Access through Telemedicine: Telemedicine should be further integrated into the healthcare system, especially in rural areas where access to cannabis-friendly physicians is limited.
Ensure Affordability of Legal Cannabis: Financial barriers to accessing medical cannabis need to be addressed, possibly through better insurance coverage or government subsidies to prevent patients from resorting to the black market.
Conclusion
The 2024 Cannabis Barometer survey sheds light on the complex landscape of medical cannabis use in Germany. While legalization has paved the way for improved access, significant barriers remain in the form of stigma, high costs, and limited healthcare access. Addressing these issues through policy reform, public education, and expanding telemedicine will be crucial in ensuring that cannabis can be safely and effectively used by the people who need it most.
Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.
It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.
Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.
The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:
A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.
There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:
A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.
With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded. Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.
The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food. But does marijuana have a natural secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?
The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.
The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country. While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.
Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.
It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.
It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.
Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry
THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications. Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.
As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.
Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected. It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.
Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.
A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.
Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:
The study found no significant impact on underage drinking rates among those aged 12-20.
This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.
The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:
There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.
The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:
Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.
These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.