Australia and Germany are moving in opposite directions regarding medicinal cannabis imports. Both countries are struggling to manage the uncontrolled growth of their respective medicinal cannabis markets.

On October 1, Australia's Office of Drug Control (ODC) confirmed that the country's cannabis import quota for 2025 was reduced by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) from 101 to 88 tons. The reduction comes after exaggerated forecasts and unused licenses have blocked the system's capacity.

In contrast, Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has increased its national import ceiling. The move aims to keep up with record levels of patient demand and the rise in authorized imports.

For the cannabis industry, telemedicine has allowed digital clinics and online prescription platforms to thrive. This has improved access, streamlined care, and driven record patient growth.

Germany and Australia remain at the forefront of this new dynamic, opening the doors to a flood of cannabis imports to meet the growing demand.

The high volume of imports has forced both markets to review their annual quotas for narcotic substances, in accordance with international law.

Under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the INCB oversees the global quota system for narcotic substances, including medicinal cannabis. Member States submit annual estimates of their needs.

The INCB reviews these proposals and approves national quotas. The goal is to ensure that supply remains proportionate to legitimate demand, preventing diversion to illicit channels.

National regulatory bodies, such as Australia's ODC and Germany's BfArM, manage their allocations within these limits. They issue import licenses, monitor volumes, and report to the INCB.

If actual activity significantly diverges from forecasts, the INCB may adjust future estimates up or down.

Germany Increases Quota in Response to Demand

According to BusinessOfCannabis, BfArM confirmed that the country's import quota was increased by approximately 70 tons, from 122 to 192.5 tons.

Initially reported by the German cannabis news site Krautinvest, new licenses are being issued again following the quota increase.

To provide context, Germany's cannabis imports have grown significantly. Imports in the second quarter of 2025 rose to 43.3 tons, up from 37.5 tons in the first quarter, a 15% increase.

Australia Reduces Medicinal Cannabis Import Limit

While Germany's review appears to result from an underestimation of demand, Australia's correction stems from overblown forecasts by license holders. This left significant portions of the national allocation unused.

The ODC confirmed that delays in license processing in 2025 were linked to companies requesting volumes far exceeding their actual capacity. In practice, they were "blocking" the quota and restricting access for compliant operators.

The issue, raised by the ODC in late 2024, stems from how Australia manages its quota. For 2025, the INCB set the quota at 101 tons, but the ODC received requests totaling 150 tons.

In practice, only half of that amount was imported, as many license holders did not use their authorizations.

In October 2025, the INCB formally reduced Australia's quota to 88 tons, citing utilization well below projected levels.

New Measures in Australia and the Risk of Telemedicine

The ODC introduced new measures to address the situation. Companies that do not import at least 75% of the approved volumes in 2025 will have their forecast for 2026 reduced to match actual imports.

According to a study from the University of Sydney, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, nearly 80% of patients accessed treatment through specialized cannabis clinics rather than general practitioners.

With information from BusinessofCannabis