Germany: Lobbyist Henning Todt presented himself as “voice of patients” but did not disclose his position at Israeli “digital health company” Helfy says Spiegel

Spiegel: lobbying allegations surrounding cannabis petition in the Bundestag

2026-03-26 | According to SPIEGEL, the initiator of a successful medical cannabis petition, Henning Todt, presented himself before the Petitions Committee as the “voice of patients,” but did not disclose his work for Helfy, the parent company of telemedicine provider DoktorABC, whose business model is threatened by planned regulations from Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). The BvCW stated that a one-time appearance as a petitioner does not make someone a lobbyist, noting that lobbyists are required to provide transparent disclosures in the lobby register.

Todt calls for a legally secure framework for digital healthcare and opposes restrictions on telemedicine. While members of parliament from the SPD and Greens supported the petition, the potential conflict of interest was not addressed during the hearing. SPD politician Matthias Mieves emphasized the need for transparency, stating that economic interests should be disclosed when representing specific perspectives in parliamentary proceedings. A final decision on the petition, signed by more than 58,000 people, is still pending.

Source- German Cannabis Business Association

Google AI tells us

Henning Todt is a prominent activist and patient advocate in Germany’s medical cannabis sector, currently serving as a Content Editor for Helfy, an Israeli-based digital health company. 

The Org +1

• Key Demands: The petition, which has gathered approximately 60,000 signatures, demands that the government maintain online doctor consultations and allow mail-order pharmacies for cannabis prescriptions.
• Patient Representative: During his testimony before the Petitions Committee in March 2026, Todt described himself as a “voice for patients” and warned that requiring in-person visits would create a “two-class system” that unfairly impacts rural or immobile patients. 
  
• MMJDaily

• Digital Media: Worked as a Web Content Editor for xwise.com and GVC Corporation BV, focusing on online casino brands and VIP account management for German clients.
• Academia: Served as a scientist and project coordinator at the University of Hohenheim and the University of Bielefeld, where he conducted field research in East Africa.
• Research: He has published scientific papers on botany and ecology, including studies on halophytic plants