BtMG

BtMG is the Betäubungsmittelgesetz, the German Federal Narcotics Act. It provides the regulatory framework for the handling of narcotics (Betäubungsmittel) and certain psychotropic substances, including their manufacture, possession, distribution, import and export, and the cultivation of plants used to produce drugs, as well as precursor chemicals. The law aims to prevent abuse while enabling legitimate medical and scientific use.

The act organizes controlled substances into schedules and categories that determine the level of authorization required. It establishes licensing and registration requirements for manufacturers, wholesalers, physicians, pharmacists, researchers, and importers, and it governs prescribing and dispensing through the accompanying Betäubungsmittelverschreibungsverordnung (BTMVV). The BtMG also regulates cultivation and handling of plants and precursors used to produce narcotics.

Implementation and enforcement involve multiple actors. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) administers scheduling, licensing, and supervision of narcotics and their precursors. Law enforcement agencies enforce the BtMG, and the courts adjudicate violations and determine penalties.

Penalties under the BtMG vary depending on the offense and quantity. Unauthorized possession, production, or trafficking can lead to penalties ranging from fines to several years of imprisonment; trafficking in larger quantities or involvement of organized crime can carry more severe penalties.

Medical use is permitted under strict controls. Certain narcotics and psychotropic substances may be prescribed by physicians for legitimate treatment, and medical cannabis is available with a prescription under the law. Import, export, and cultivation require appropriate permits and licenses. The BtMG has been amended multiple times since its enactment in 1971 to reflect evolving policy and international obligations.