Source: German Cannabis Business Association
2026-07-13 | In a press release, Germany’s Pirate Party accused the governing coalition of the CDU, CSU, and SPD of corruption and “purchased politics” in connection with the recent reform of medical cannabis reimbursement. According to the party, a last-minute amendment blocked reimbursement for cost-effective magistral cannabis preparations during the first six months of treatment, effectively granting the newly approved medicinal cannabis product Exilby, developed by Munich-based Vertanical, a quasi-monopoly. The party further noted that Vertanical founder Clemens Fischer had donated more than €500,000 to the governing parties before the federal election (as previously reported), while CSU Member of Parliament Stephan Pilsinger played a key role in drafting the legislation. The Pirate Party therefore calls for the immediate repeal of the mandatory six-month trial period for approved cannabis medicines and demands that parliamentary immunity be lifted for the politicians involved to enable a full investigation.
