The Commercial Case for US Medical Cannabis Export

Export Markets Open for Business

Explore potential lawful export pathway now.

In April 2026 a final DEA order moved two categories of marijuana — FDA-approved marijuana drug products and marijuana subject to a qualifying state medical marijuana license — from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, effective immediately. Recreational marijuana remains in Schedule I.

The same order amended DEA regulations to require import and export permits for Schedule III marijuana products, mirroring the controls on Schedule I and II substances and consistent with Article 31 of the Single Convention. For the first time, a federally lawful export pathway exists for US state-licensed medical marijuana for those states that presently and in the future allow for exports.

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The Opportunity

Export Market Opportunities

Canada is the working proof of concept. Its cannabis export value rose from roughly CAD 8 million in fiscal 2019–2020 to roughly CAD 160 million in fiscal 2022–2023, according to Health Canada. The destination markets have accelerated since.

20×

Growth in Canadian cannabis export value, FY 2019–20 to FY 2022–23 (Health Canada)

201 tonnes

Medical cannabis imported by Germany in 2025 — nearly triple 2024's 72.7 tonnes and up from 32.5 tonnes in 2023 (BfArM)

€1 billion+

German pharmacy sales of medical cannabis in 2025 — the first time the market has passed this mark

+262%

Growth in UK medical cannabis prescriptions between 2022 and 2024; the UK market exceeded €300 million in 2025

The Margin Case

Export Outperforms the Domestic Market on Margin

~2.5×

On a per-gram basis, export gross margins have been estimated at roughly 2.5 times domestic prices, before the tax advantage is counted.

The strategic logic is the one now facing US state operators. Canadian producers turned to export because the domestic market oversupplied and prices compressed. Mature US state medical markets are on the same trajectory, and export offers a premium outlet — now amplified by the removal of Section 280E on the medical side.

Service Offering

Export Services

Vatic prepares US state-licensed medical cannabis operators to meet the compliance standards international buyers and regulators require.

EU-GMP Compliance

European and other importer requirements comprising Good Manufacturing Practice pharmaceutical-grade requirements (GMP) — required for finished medical product entering EU pharmacies and verified by a competent-authority inspection.

✓ GAP analysis of US client floorplan compliance to GMP requirements, personnel flow, and product flow

✓ Gap analysis for compliance with EU-GMP requirements

✓ Development of EU-GMP Plan and quality assurance documentation (SOPs, forms, batch records, logs) and development of sanitation program

✓ Stability Program Protocol, including Cleaning Validation Protocol and Processing Validation Protocol

✓ Validated processing and packaging

✓ Training of staff in EU-GMP and cGMP quality assurance practices and procedures

✓ Preparation and execution of GMP compliance audits (virtual / on-site)

✓ Permits and other export documents

✓ Export marketing facilitation — linking up with EU buyers

GACP Compliance

Compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and European Medicines Agency (EMEA) GACP.

✓ Gap analysis for compliance with WHO GACP and EMEA GACP requirements

✓ Assistance in closing all gaps and development of supporting documentation

✓ Execution of GACP compliance audit (virtual / on-site)

✓ Preparation of GACP compliance report

Position Your Operation for Export

Book a free consultation to discuss your pathway to EU-GMP and GACP compliance and the new federal export permit process.

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