Updates

Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® | 78% THC has been available in Germany with immediate effect. The plant-identical cannabis extract combines Bedrocan®‘s proven cannabinoid and terpene profile with the benefits of standardised extract quality, and is suitable for producing a vaporizable extract: it meets the requirements of the DAB monograph “Cannabis extractum normatum” as well as Ph. Eur. 5.1.4 for inhalation use.

The market launch in Germany comes at an important time. Since 30 July 2026, statutory health insurance (GKV) no longer covers the costs of cannabis flower under the GKV Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz (Health Insurance Contribution Stabilisation Act). Cannabis compounded medicines in the form of extracts of standardised quality are not affected by this and, under certain conditions, remain eligible for reimbursement. While self-paying patients can still obtain cannabis flower, this is increasing demand for alternative dosage forms that can be flexibly integrated into individual treatment plans.

Greater flexibility for individualised therapy

Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® | 78% THC gives physicians and pharmacists an additional option for individualised patient care. Thanks to its free-flowing consistency, the extract can be further processed into various compounded preparations and dosage forms at the pharmacy without the need for elaborate heating. These include, among others:

• Inhalation applications via vaporization
• Oral oil solutions
• Individually dosed capsules
• Suppositories
• Topical preparations for application to the skin

Which dosage form is best suited should be determined by the physician and pharmacist, based on the individual patient’s needs, symptoms, and treatment goals. The pharmacy can then further process the extract into a suitable final product.

Quality built on years of experience

Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® | 78% THC is the first product of a long-term partnership between two specialised companies: Bedrocan, a Dutch pioneer in medicinal cannabis for 25 years, and Becanex, a Berlin-based specialist in plant-identical cannabis extracts. Both partners share the same commitment to quality, from cultivation in EU-GMP-certified facilities to extraction in Berlin-Adlershof.

A new systematic review published in Frontiers in Neuroimaging (Rutledge et al., 2026) evaluated how brain-scanning research measures the effects of CBD on human brain activity.  The review synthesises existing data to inform ongoing discussions surrounding CBD’s therapeutic potential.

What is CBD?

• Screened thousands of published papers, isolating 12 qualifying studies with a total of 146 participants
• Reviewed functional neuroimaging (fMRI and SPECT) comparing brain activity after CBD administration versus a placebo
• Analysed data across both healthy individuals and participants with clinical anxiety symptoms

What the researchers did

• Screened thousands of published papers, isolating 12 qualifying studies with a total of 146 participants
• Reviewed functional neuroimaging (fMRI and SPECT) comparing brain activity after CBD administration versus a placebo
• Analysed data across both healthy individuals and participants with clinical anxiety symptoms
• The overall quality of evidence was rated low to very low

Study limitations

• Methods, dosage levels, and study groups varied widely, limiting direct comparisons
• Sample sizes were small, and several studies evaluated overlapping participant groups
• Participant demographics lacked diversity (predominantly white males), limiting broader applicability.

Key takeaways

While CBD clearly influences brain activity, existing data is insufficient to conclude that it reliably reduces stress or anxiety. The authors emphasise the need for larger, highly standardised clinical trials. Until then, medical and scientific consensus remains cautious regarding CBD’s efficacy for mood disorders.

Following recent changes to Dutch medicinal cannabis policy, international orders will be processed differently. The Dutch Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC) is gradually discontinuing its export activities and will no longer be able or willing to supply medicinal cannabis to parties outside the Netherlands.

Contact Bedrocan directly

To ensure continued patient access, pharmacies, wholesalers, healthcare providers, and other organisations outside the Netherlands are advised to refrain from placing new orders or requests with the OMC. Instead, they can contact Bedrocan directly for the supply of medicinal cannabis. Bedrocan’s new production facility in Denmark can continue to supply any country where medicinal cannabis is legally permitted.

Dutch pharmacies

Please note that this change applies only to requests from parties located outside the Netherlands. For Dutch pharmacies, nothing changes. Orders for Bedrocan products can continue to be placed through OMC via their established ordering process.

Medicinal cannabis orders for Germany

In Germany Bedrocan® flos is now also available in a new 10 g pack size. German patients who wish and are able to continue their treatment with cannabis flowers can now benefit from this additional packaging option. The 10 g unit offers greater flexibility in pharmacy stock management, is well suited for dispensing smaller quantities, and is available at an attractive price point. This makes it easier for pharmacies to meet individual patient needs while maintaining an efficient supply chain. As a result, patient access to Bedrocan® cannabis flowers in Germany remains straightforward and reliable under the current regulatory framework.

For orders in Germany, please contact our distribution partner Cannaflos directly.

Contact us now

If you are unsure about the correct route for placing an order or would like to learn more about the options available in your country, please contact our Business department: orders@bedrocan.com or complete the form below. Our team will be happy to assist you and help identify the most suitable supply route for your specific situation.

With this approach, we aim to ensure that patients outside the Netherlands continue to have access to the medicinal cannabis products they rely on. While the OMC is stepping back from its role as an exporter, Bedrocan remains committed to maintaining a reliable and uninterrupted supply of pharmaceutical-quality medicinal cannabis worldwide.

Oromucosal dose forms are relatively easy to administer. The ease of dosing and rapid onset of action mean oromucosal administration, via the sublingual or buccal surface, is the preferred choice for many physicians and patients.

THC and CBD are highly lipophilic compounds, which are rapidly absorbed by the oromucosa (in particular, the sublingual surface), entering the bloodstream and bypassing the liver. Bioavailability generally ranges between about 5% and 20% and varies according to the dose form (viscous solutions, sprays, wafers), the vitality of the mucosa, and the accuracy of dosing by the patient. Inevitably, some of the administered doses will be swallowed, resulting in
first-pass metabolism.

Oromucosal pharmacokinetic profile

Plasma concentrations

Peak plasma concentrations vary according to the dose form and concentration, and may be reached between 30-120 minutes, resulting in the onset of clinical effects after about 30-90 minutes and tapering off within 6-8 hours.

Spray, sublingual drops, and then wafer dose forms, respectively, appear to increasingly reduce variability in Tmax and to reach higher Cmax with similar doses. Plasma concentrations of THC tend to be higher than corresponding CBD after administration of CBD:THC medicines. The plasma increase of cannabinoids is dose-dependent.

Reducing variability in oromucosal dosing

The dose format can introduce or reduce variability in the taken dose, for example:

• Actuated, metered dose sprays are a precise dosing format, with a specific dose per spray. A 10.8 mg THC and 10 mg CBD dose may reach a Cmax of 5.5 ng/ mL and 2.5 ng/mL, respectively, after 1.6 hours. Formulations may contain alcohol in the solution, which can be unpleasant for patients or cause mild site-specific ulceration.
• Sublingual wafers provide highly consistent dosing and rapidly dissolve with a good absorption rate. A 50 mg CBD dose may reach a Cmax of 19.84 ng/mL after 3.3 hours.
• With sublingual solutions, frail or elderly patients may find it hard to squeeze a dropper under the tongue, and under or over-dose may occur. A syringe helps the accuracy of the dose amount but may be fiddly for frail or elderly patients. Some oromucosal solutions contain chlorophyll, which may cause an unpleasant taste. Post-administration, consuming a banana or boiled sweet may help.

Also read

Administration via the pulmonary route (inhalation) of cannabis can be a convenient, very rapid, and efficient method of cannabinoid delivery for patients. It allows self-titration to the desired therapeutic effect.

A vaporizer medical device is used to administer pharmaceutical-quality cannabis herbal material. The rapid onset of effects of inhaled cannabinoids enables easier titration to an optimal dose based on symptom severity, tolerability, and avoidance of side effects.

Bioavailability of inhaled cannabis

THC and CBD are lipophilic compounds rapidly absorbed and distributed by the lungs. The bioavailability of inhaled THC is upward of 40%. Following inhalation, THC and CBD plasma levels increase rapidly. The increase in plasma concentration of cannabinoids is dose-dependent. Peak plasma concentrations typically occur 3-10 minutes after inhalation, resulting in the onset of clinical effects after about 5-10 minutes and tapering off within 1-3 hours.

Pulmonary pharmacokinetics profile

THC and CBD plasma concentrations

There is low inter-subject variability in THC plasma concentrations with pulmonary administration. Pulmonary administration of THC mostly avoids first-pass metabolism. THC is converted to its active metabolite, 11-OH-THC, and further metabolism occurs later.

Reducing variability in pulmonary dosing

Administration by smoking is never advised. The use of a quality vaporizer medical device eliminates exposure to toxic pyrolytic compounds of cannabis smoke and reduces variability in administered cannabinoid content, with ≤ 35 % of the dose reaching the lungs. Highly functioning devices markedly reduce variability in the administered dose.

Registered medical devices like the SyqeAir Inhaler or the Volcano Medic® are now available. Other reliable, affordable, and portable devices are required to ensure that patients have access to these devices.

Inter-patient and intra-patient variability

Inter-patient and intra-patient variability in administered dose occurs from the depth of inhalation, duration of inhalation, and breath-holding time. The quality and consistency of the cannabis herbal material used and the quality of the thermal inhalation medical device will either increase or decrease variability.

Patients with COPD and/or asthma should be monitored when using such a device, as the depth of breath and breath-hold time will impact the total dose.

Oral preparations are familiar dose forms. They are similar to other medicines patients already take and are easy to administer for patients who can swallow. The ease of dosing is offset by intra- and inter-patient variability. While there is a positive dose-concentration relationship for most dose forms (solutions, tablets, capsules), oral THC and CBD have a highly variable pharmacokinetic profile, which differs between formulations.

Absorption is slow and erratic within the gastrointestinal tract. Significant first-pass hepatic metabolism and high lipid solubility mean 5-10% of the administered dose reaches the systemic circulation.

THC is metabolised in the liver to the major pharmacologically active metabolite 11-OH-THC, which occurs in approximately the same concentration in the blood as the parent compound, THC. Therefore, the bioavailability of parent and metabolite, which are both active, results in an elevated bioavailability.

The high variability in the THC and CBD absorption of oral formulations results in delayed peak plasma concentrations compared to other routes of administration. Therefore, the accuracy of determining a therapeutic dosage is reduced for individual patients.

Following oral ingestion, THC maximal plasma concentrations are reached after 60-180 minutes, reaching maximal clinical effects after 60-180 minutes and tapering off after 6-12 hours, depending on the dose.

Oral pharmacokinetic profile

Pharmacokinetic profiles

An oral THC dose is typically lower than a CBD dose, resulting in different pharmacokinetic profiles. For example, a 20 mg THC oral dose may reach a Cmax of 7.9 ng/mL after approximately 135 minutes, while a 1500 mg CBD oral dose may reach a Cmax of 541 ng/mL after approximately
150 minutes.

THC metabolism occurs mainly in the liver, catalysed by CYP450 enzymes. THC undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism, primarily by hydroxylation to 11-OH-THC, which is an active metabolite. Both THC and 11-OH-THC are present in approximately equal concentrations in plasma. As would be expected, CBD is also subjected to significant first-pass metabolism.

THC and CBD are widely distributed, particularly in adipose tissue. Body storage of THC increases with increasing frequency and duration of use.

Reducing variability in oral dosing

The absorption rate is affected by gut physiology, diet, and general stomach health. The low bioavailability (< 10%) makes it difficult to titrate doses.

Patients should be advised to take their medicine consistently, with regard to time and dietary intake, to reduce variation.

For THC, an appreciable food effect is observed with highfat, high-calorie meals, resulting in an up to a 4-hour delay in mean Tmax, while Cmax is not significantly changed.

Administration of high-dose CBD with high-fat/high-calorie meals markedly increases Cmax and reduces the total variability compared with the fasted state.

Also read

For the first time, the most prescribed Bedrocan® flower will be available to pharmacists as a concentrate for bespoke compounding. The product can be used for a versatile range of formulations, while maintaining the consistent quality trusted by doctors and patients for over 20 years. This is made possible through a long-term partnership and the combined expertise of Dutch pioneer Bedrocan and Berlin-based extraction specialist Becanex. The companies aim to start supplying the concentrate by the summer of 2026.

Becanex PIEX Bedrocan 78%

The first jointly developed cannabis extract is the Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® 78% THC Concentrate. Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® faithfully contains a fingerprint of the natural cannabinoid and terpene profile of the original Bedrocan® flower. By preserving this profile through Becanex’s proprietary extraction method, the extract delivers predictable, consistent results.

Versatility in patient-specific care

One of the defining strengths of the product is its standardised form and compounding versatility. The concentrate is specifically designed to be incorporated into a broad range of patient-specific preparations, including oral solutions, capsules, suppositories, topical forms, and inhalation dosages. The option to vaporize the concentrate is particularly significant as it will give patients an additional method of inhalation alongside the flower. The extensive range of options provides healthcare professionals and pharmacists with full flexibility in tailoring therapies to individual patient needs.

A partnership rooted in shared values

The collaboration between Bedrocan and Becanex is grounded in a shared philosophy: that cannabis, as a medical product, demands the same rigour, standardisation and transparency expected of any pharmaceutical ingredient. The two companies’ complementary expertise, Bedrocan in standardised cultivation and Becanex in plant-identical extraction, makes Becanex PIEX Bedrocan® a natural expression of that shared commitment. Bedrocan CEO Jaap Erkelens has high expectations for the collaboration and the product: “We have always been precise about how we grow our cannabis. Becanex is equally precise about how they extract it. That shared attention to detail is what makes this product worth putting in front of pharmacists, prescribers and patients. In addition, the concentrate now enables doctors to prescribe our main product Bedrocan® in multiple compounding formulations.”

“Patients who have found a cannabis strain that works well for them shouldn’t have to compromise if they need it in a different form. With Bedrocan as our partner, we can now offer prescribers exactly that, building on a strain they already know and trust. That we are here today is no coincidence: as early as 2014, the team around Becanex co-founder Eral Osmanoglou worked together with Bedrocan under a scientific license to develop the first extracts from the Bedrocan® flower. The regulatory framework for such a product wasn’t there back then — today, we are returning to those results and bringing them to market” says Sebastian Kamphorst, Director of Becanex GmbH.

Product collaboration – Cannabis Europe London & Medical Cannabis Conference in Berlin 2026

The launch of Becanex PIEX Bedrocan marks the beginning of a broader product collaboration between the two companies, with Germany as the first market to launch the product. Both companies will present their joint products to the public for the first time at two consecutive industry events: Cannabis Europa in London and the Medical Cannabis Congress in Berlin, taking place in the same week. We look forward to welcoming you at our booth.

Orders

The Becanex PIEX Bedrocan 78% THC concentrate will be available to order for pharmacies from summer 2026 onwards. Product information and technical documentation can be requested immediately.

For more information, contact our business team:

Bedrocan is proud to announce the launch of Bedromed, a new product line of standardised cannabinoid-based formulations. Leveraging Bedrocan’s decades of expertise in producing high-quality cannabis active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs),  the Bedromed product line brings the trusted Bedrocan® and Bedrolina® cannabis APIs into new administration forms.

Bedromed spray & Bedromed drops

The Bedromed product line is designed to provide physicians and patients with a broad range of cannabinoid delivery methods that support precise dosing and streamlined administration. While other novel forms are expected to be included in the future, the initial Bedromed portfolio features two administration forms with a variety of THC:CBD ratios, including high-CBD, balanced, and high-THC options:

• Bedromed spray is a standardised cannabinoid-based formulation developed for sublingual administration and is based on Bedrocan® and Bedrolina® cannabis APIs.
• Bedromed drops is a standardised cannabinoid-based formulation developed for oromucosal administration and is based on Bedrocan® cannabis API.

Same trusted genetics

For over 20 years, Bedrocan has been known for consistency in medicinal cannabis production. Bedromed extends this legacy by offering Bedromed drops and Bedromed spray derived directly from the same trusted genetics and validated processes that have defined Bedrocan’s cannabis APIs.

CEO, Jaap Erkelens: “The launch of Bedromed is a significant expansion of our portfolio, allowing us to bring our trusted API closer to the patient alongside our core commitment to API supply. By offering new cannabinoid-based formulations, we ensure that the pharmaceutical-grade consistency we are known for is now accessible in modern, patient-appropriate delivery formats.”

Consistent pharmaceutical quality

All Bedromed products are manufactured in compliance with European good manufacturing practice (EU-GMP). Bedrocan guarantees full traceability from source plant to final product, with documented controls at each stage of the manufacturing process. This end-to-end oversight eliminates gaps in the supply chain and ensures consistent pharmaceutical quality across every batch.

Availability

The Bedromed product range will be available for distribution starting August 2026, with initial availability in Germany and further markets to follow.

For more information, contact our business team:

Over the last 20 years a number of clinical studies and scientific research projects have been performed on the Bedrocan® medicinal cannabis product. This clinical research review about cannabis for prescribers is a summary of the most important findings.

Pain – opioid-sparing treatment option

Bedrocan® may be used as part of an opioid-sparing strategy in the treatment of pain. In this study of pain clinic patients, 78.5% were prescribed an oral dose of Bedrocan®, with most patients receiving a prescription for 12 months (range 8-21 months). At study initiation, 20% of the cohort were prescribed high doses of opioids (> 90 mg morphine equivalent/day). A high benzodiazepine prevalence was also observed. After 6 months of cannabinoid therapy, a significant increase in the number of patients not receiving opioid medications was identified (from 32.1% to 55.4%).
However, a decrease in anticonvulsant, antidepressant, and benzodiazepine medications did not occur.

Study reference: Nunnari et al. (2022). European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.

Pain – no additional respiratory depression

Respiratory depression is a common side effect of strong opioids. The co-administration of inhaled Bedrocan® (100 mg cut flos) has no effect on ventilatory control after pre-treatment with placebo or oxycodone (20 mg) in a randomised controlled crossover trial in healthy individuals.

The inhaled Δ-9-THC dose, taken at 1.5 and 4.5 hours post the oral oxycodone dose, did not enhance opioid induced respiratory depression. Oxycodone itself reduced isohypercapnic ventilation (VE55) by 30% from baseline. The second cannabis inhalation had no effect on VE55. The coadministration of oxycodone and Δ-9-THC increased the degree of sedation by up to 30% and mild intoxication by up to 10%, and decreased energy state by up to 30% and the state of alertness by up to 40%.

Study reference: Van Dam et al. (2023). British Journal of Anaesthesia.

Fibromyalgia – an alternative treatment

Bedrocan® may represent an alternative analgesic for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia but who do not respond well to conventional treatments (i.e. tramadol, amitriptyline, duloxetine, pregabalin).

This retrospective study showed this cohort of pain clinic patients responded well to Bedrocan® 200 mg/day cut flos. A reduction in pain intensity was found at 1, 3, and 12 months of treatment. Significant improvements were observed in the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Severity Score (SyS) at 1 month; in NRS, ODI, and WPI at 3 months; and in NRS, ODI, and SyS at 12 months.

Most patients treated with Bedrocan® continued their therapy. Stopping therapy was due to nonserious, transient side effects such as confusion and dizziness. An appropriate titration period would help reduce the incidence of these side effects, and improve medicine efficacy and treatment compliance.

Study reference: Mazza. (2021). Journal of Cannabis Research.

Avoiding side effects

Often CBD (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, is prescribed to attenuate the psychotropic side effects of Δ-9-THC. A recent study, however, shows CBD does not influence any of the cognitive impairments or psychological symptoms. Neither does CBD attenuate any of the other acute effects of Δ-9-THC, including behaviour, subjective experiences, and cognition.

Additionally, co-administration of CBD had no influence on Tmax, metabolites OH-THC or COOH-THC, or to total systemic exposure (AUC).  A recent study demonstrated that CBD after a 450 mg oral dose of CBD can increase the acute effects of Δ-9-THC, likely explained by CBD inhibiting cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of THC.

Study references:

• Chester et al. (2022). Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
• Lawn et al. (2022). Addiction.
• Englund et al. (2022). Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
• Gorbenko et al (2024). Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Bedrocan was the first to enter the German market, meaning that Bedrocan cannabis products have been available in Germany for almost 20 years. Exports from the Netherlands began in 2008, and since then, Bedrocan has supplied over 15,000 kilos of medicinal cannabis to German patients. These numbers may be dwarfed by the size of the German market, which analysts predict will account for approximately 1,005 tons* of cannabis flos alone by 2026. Nevertheless, our products remain a favorite among prescribers and patients due to their high quality and efficacy. Curious about how exports to Germany first took off? Bedrocan founder Tjalling Erkelens knows all about it.

When it all started

In 2008, medicinal cannabis flos became available to patients in Germany for the very first time. Erkelens: “In those years, there were two other legal sources worldwide: In the United States, the University of Mississippi was authorized to cultivate cannabis for research, and in Canada, Prairie Plant Systems, produced for the Canadian government. Bedrocan was the third largest supplier in the world, and we produced on behalf of the Dutch government. We sourced the cannabis for the German market through the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC).”

Groundbreaking ruling

The available products were Bedrocan®, Bedrobinol®, and Bediol®. “Those were the only three medicinal cannabis products available at the time that we were authorized to cultivate on behalf of the OMC,” Erkelens continues. Exports didn’t take off entirely spontaneously.

The impetus was a ruling by a German court declaring that there was a medical necessity for making cannabis available. Erkelens: “It was a fairly groundbreaking ruling by the German Federal Administrative Court on May 19, 2005. An MS patient, who was also a lawyer, filed a lawsuit against BfArM, the drug regulatory agency responsible for drug approval in Germany. The claimant was severely disabled, had tried all conventional medications and demanded access to cannabis as it was the only way to relieve his symptoms.”

Medical emergency

BfArM consistently denied access, citing the German Opium Act (BtMG). However, the court ruled that BfArM could not simply reject applications if there was a medical emergency without alternatives. The court stated that the fundamental right to bodily integrity outweighed the strict prohibition of drugs,” Erkelens recalls.

“The drug regulatory agency was forced to invoke a clause allowing exceptions in the public interest. According to the court, the medical care of an individual in need fell under these exceptions.” Although the ruling was made in 2005, the legal and bureaucratic process took years. Around 2007 or 2008, the first official exemptions were actually issued to individual patients in Germany.

Erkelens: “These patients were then legally allowed to obtain cannabis from German pharmacies. And our products were the only ones available at the time. This exemption system remained in place until the 2017 law change.”

Bedrocan, the first to enter Germany

Does this mean Bedrocan’s products were the first medicinal cannabis products to enter Germany? Erkelens: “As far as cannabis flos is concerned, the answer is an absolute ‘yes.’ However, dronabinol, pure THC, had already been available by prescription since 1998. But that’s a completely different story, in which Bedrocan wasn’t involved.”

*) Source: Cannamonitor

Dutch patients who use cannabis to manage health symptoms face significant barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis through the healthcare system, according to a new study by the Trimbos Institute. Based on responses from more than 1,000 participants, the research reveals a systemic disconnect: although patients would prefer to obtain medicinal cannabis via a doctor’s prescription, many feel forced to turn to coffeeshops or home cultivation instead. The study provides the first comprehensive insight into why such a large group of medicinal cannabis users remain outside the regulated healthcare framework. A shortage of doctors willing to prescribe cannabis and affordability of prescribed products emerged as important barriers.

Barriers to accessing prescribed medical cannabis:

• Perceived high cost
• Limited availability of prescribing physicians and restrictive medical guidelines
• Lack of accurate and accessible information
• Poor fit between services and patient needs
• Stigma

Limited prescription of medicinal cannabis

Medicinal cannabis has been legally available in the Netherlands since 2003 for patients with a doctor’s prescription. Despite this, access remains highly restricted. An estimated half a million people in the Netherlands use cannabis to alleviate physical or psychological symptoms, yet only a small percentage – around 7,000 patients – receive prescribed cannabis. The vast majority of medicinal users obtain cannabis outside formal healthcare channels. “These are patients who often suffer from serious and long-term health conditions,” said Lisa Strada, the study’s project leader. “Like everyone else, they want access to a medication they know helps them, instead of having to rely on unregulated or illegal sources. It is deeply frustrating for them to know that medicinal cannabis is legal in the Netherlands, yet they still can’t access it.”

1. Perceived high cost

Financial barriers are a major factor limiting access to prescribed cannabis. Since 2018, medicinal cannabis has no longer been reimbursed by Dutch health insurance, placing a significant financial burden on patients. This is particularly problematic for patients with chronic and debilitating conditions, who are often unable to work and may rely on social assistance. Most study participants said they would prefer to obtain cannabis through the formal healthcare system, citing the regulated quality, safety, and transparency of pharmacy-supplied products. However, high out-of-pocket costs drive many toward unregulated or illegal sources, where prices may be lower but product quality and safety are not guaranteed.

2. Limited availability of prescribing physicians and restrictive medical guidelines

Participants generally felt that there were not enough physicians in the Netherlands who prescribe cannabis. While a few reported positive experiences with physicians who were open to prescribing it, most had had negative encounters or assumed that their physician would reject their request for prescribed cannabis.

Several participants shared frustrating experiences in which physicians cited medical guidelines or recommendations as reasons for not prescribing cannabis. The recommendation from the Dutch Society of General Practitioners (NHG), which advises against prescribing cannabis outside of palliative care, was explicitly mentioned. Participants noted that physicians often viewed cannabis as a treatment of last resort rather than a viable treatment option. A few participants reported that their physicians were in principle willing to prescribed cannabis but felt constrained by guidelines and recommendations.

3. Lack of accurate and accessible information

Access to prescribed cannabis is further hindered by limited medical expertise. Although any doctor in the Netherlands is legally permitted to prescribe medicinal cannabis when standard treatments are insufficiently effective or cause too many side effects, this option is rarely used in practice. “This is largely due to a lack of knowledge,” said Strada. “Medicinal cannabis is not a standard part of medical training, and there are too few opportunities for continued education.” In addition, persistent stigma surrounding cannabis discourages patients from discussing it with their doctors for fear of being judged.

Reliable and accessible information about medicinal cannabis via official authorities is also scarce. As a result, people typically search for information on online forums and social media, where misinformation is widespread.

4. Poor fit between services and patient needs

At present, five cannabis strains are available by prescription in the Netherlands. Study participants reported that this limited selection does not adequately meet patients’ diverse needs. Each person’s body reacts differently to cannabis, meaning a strain that works for one person may not be equally effective for another. Furthermore, variation in the plant itself can also influence its effectiveness. Patients, therefore, called for a broader range of products, which would increase the likelihood of finding a product that works for their specific symptoms.

5. Stigma

Interview data indicated that the acceptability of prescribed cannabis as a therapeutic option was shaped by sociocultural factors, with stigma emerging as a key barrier to access. Participants described that stigma was driven by negative associations with cannabis as a recreational drug and a potential substance of abuse.

Participants reported both experienced and perceived stigma from physicians, friends, family, and society at large. Many described being labelled as ‘drug users’ or believing that others saw them this way. Some recalled encounters in which physicians or social contacts were dismissive or judgmental of their medicinal cannabis use, because they believed it was motivated by a desire to get high rather than a therapeutic need.

Improving accessibility

Despite medicinal cannabis being legally available in the Netherlands for more than twenty years, access through conventional healthcare remains severely restricted. The Trimbos Institute concludes that substantial policy changes are needed to improve availability and better align care with patient needs. Improving access would not only reduce reliance on unregulated sources but also more effectively safeguard public health.

A significant regulatory shift has introduced new opportunities for the trade of medicinal cannabis from our Dutch facility. Commercial parties holding a valid opium exemption or import license can now order cannabis API and raw materials directly from Bedrocan.

Direct industrial orders

This new pathway is specifically designed for industrial orders where cannabis material serves as the basis for developing cannabis medicines and other cannabis-derived products. These transactions are facilitated through a tripartite agreement between the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC), Bedrocan, and the purchasing party, marking a significant evolution in trade flexibility within the Dutch market.

The new policy rule took effect on January 1, 2026.

Future availability: Bedrocan Canada

Looking beyond the Netherlands, Bedrocan is also making significant progress in commissioning its new facility in Canada. In late 2025, the first cuttings were exported from the Netherlands for local cultivation. This facility will soon expand our global reach, producing several cannabis brands as APIs for both local and international markets.

For technical specifications, product availability, and ordering details, please contact our team at orders@bedrocan.com.