Apply for a cannabis prescription online
Apply for a cannabis prescription online
How it works
Cannabis prescription online - what you need to know
More and more people are interested in medicinal cannabis, but getting a prescription can be complicated. Many people wonder whether it is possible to get a cannabis prescription online - and indeed, there are doctors who can issue a prescription after an online consultation.
But what requirements do you need to fulfil? What costs will you incur? And how does the ordering process at the pharmacy work? Find out everything you need to know here.
How to get a cannabis prescription online
Thanks to modern telemedicine, it is now possible to apply for a prescription for medicinal cannabis online. The process is usually quite straightforward. First, you make an appointment with a doctor who specialises in cannabis therapies. These doctors often work with online platforms and offer video consultations.
During the consultation, the doctor will check whether there is an indication for cannabis therapy, including reviewing your medical history and any existing medical reports. If the doctor comes to the conclusion that cannabis could be a suitable treatment method, they will issue a prescription. This is sent either by post or digitally so that it can be filled at a pharmacy. Some pharmacies even offer a mail order service so that the medicine is delivered directly to your home.
Typical online prescription process:
- Appointment booking via a platform or directly with the doctor
- Video consultation with anamnesis and review of medical history
- Issue of the prescription if the medical requirements are met
- Filling the prescription in a pharmacy or ordering by mail order
Is it worth it?
Experience with a cannabis prescription online
Many patients have already used the option of applying for their cannabis prescription online and report positive experiences. They particularly appreciate the fact that the process is usually much quicker than at a traditional doctor's surgery. Instead of having to wait a long time, you can speak to a doctor from the comfort of your own home and receive your prescription within a few days.
However, there are also challenges: despite online consultations, some doctors are strict when prescribing and require detailed evidence of previous therapy attempts. In addition, not every health insurance company covers the costs of cannabis, which is a financial hurdle for many patients.
Who is entitled to a prescription for medicinal cannabis?
Not everyone who wants to use cannabis as a medicine automatically receives a prescription. Doctors prescribe it primarily when other therapies have not helped sufficiently or have caused severe side effects. Cannabis is used particularly frequently for the following conditions:
- Chronic pain, especially with nerve disorders or rheumatism
- Multiple sclerosis and associated muscle spasms
- ADHD, when conventional medication does not work
- Sleep disorders that have already been treated with other methods
- Depression and anxiety disorders when conventional therapy approaches are not sufficient
Each case is assessed individually, which is why a medical consultation is crucial. If you are unsure whether you are entitled to a prescription, you should make an appointment directly with a specialist.
How much does a cannabis prescription cost online?
The cost of an online consultation varies depending on the provider and doctor. As a rule, the fee for an initial consultation is between 50 and 150 euros. If a prescription is issued, the question arises as to whether the health insurance company will cover the costs of the medication.
People with statutory health insurance generally have the option of applying to their health insurance provider to have the costs covered, for which the doctor must confirm that cannabis is medically necessary and that other treatments have not produced the desired results.
If the application is approved, the health insurance company will cover the costs. If not, the patient must pay for the cannabis themselves - and depending on the strain, this can add up to several hundred euros a month.
Caution: Order cannabis online without a prescription
People are always looking for ways to order cannabis online without a prescription, but caution is advised because in Germany it is illegal to buy cannabis without a doctor's prescription. Although there are numerous offers on the internet, they usually come from dubious sources.
Cannabis obtained illegally can be diluted or contaminated, which poses considerable health risks. There are also high penalties if you are caught with illegal cannabis. If you want to use cannabis for medical reasons, you should therefore always choose the legal route with a doctor's prescription.