When you think of the future of medical cannabis in Europe, enua is one of the first names that comes up. Founded in 2018, the German company has steadily grown into a top-three leader in its space, with a stronghold in its home market and expansion on the horizon in the UK and Poland. At the helm is Albert Schwarzmeier, who joined the company three years ago and brought decades of entrepreneurial experience, quickly scaling enua from a 15-person startup to a 55-strong operation.

Schwarzmeier is both CEO and co-owner, making him deeply invested in the company’s trajectory. “We change society for the better,” he emphasizes. “That’s our vision. Of course, patients are at the core of everything we do. But we believe if you only look at it from a patient perspective, you miss the bigger picture. Medical cannabis has the potential to change society as a whole.”

From Cologne to Canada: Building enua’s Model

Enua doesn’t grow cannabis itself. Instead, the company has embraced an “asset-light” business model that focuses on importing and distributing top-quality products, primarily from Canadian partners. “We teamed up with 12 different partners from Canada,” Schwarzmeier explains. “We have very reliable supply, a strong sales team, and close relationships with over 1,050 pharmacies in Germany. That’s how we scaled quickly and profitably.”

Every gram of cannabis enua imports is tested multiple times before it reaches patients—first in Canada, again upon arrival in Germany, and once more before it’s dispensed at pharmacies. This rigorous quality control, Schwarzmeier says, is non-negotiable. “It’s about making sure patients are safe and that what is on the label is exactly what they’re getting.”

A European Market in Motion

Germany accounts for nearly 50% of Europe’s medical cannabis market, which Schwarzmeier estimates will reach €2 billion in 2025. While North America has led the way in open conversation and pragmatic regulation, Europe is catching up fast. “The European cannabis market is sizable, and Germany is the front runner,” he notes. “What Europe can learn from North America is pragmatism, being more data-driven, and making policies that are patient-centric.”

Enua is now preparing to enter the UK and Poland, where regulatory approvals can take 12 to 18 months. “It’s a long process,” Schwarzmeier admits, “but once you’re in, the momentum is there. And the more markets open up, the more global the conversation becomes.”

Brand Philosophy: Medical First, but With Culture in Mind

Unlike lifestyle brands in the U.S., enua’s portfolio is rooted in medicine. Still, the company understands that patients care about more than just THC percentages. “Being a patient doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to good taste, smell, or packaging,” Schwarzmeier says. “That’s why our brands—enua and our budget line, slouu—pay attention to these details.”

The Future: Telemedicine and Global Connectivity

Looking ahead, enua plans to launch its own telemedicine platform, bridging its B2B foundation with direct patient interaction. “We believe an integrated player can better understand patient needs and manage the supply chain more efficiently,” Schwarzmeier says.

Federal legalization in the United States, he adds, would be a game-changer for global cannabis. “If the U.S. moves federally, it will be huge. It would allow American producers to export for the first time, and for us in Europe, that opens up completely new opportunities.”

Education and De-Stigmatization

Beyond distribution, enua is committed to reshaping how cannabis is understood. The company publishes the enua Magazine, which combines approachable explanations with data-driven insights for pharmacy partners, policymakers, and patients alike. “Numbers don’t lie,” Schwarzmeier insists. “We use them to educate regulators, pharmacists, and the public. We want to de-stigmatize this plant in a professional, fact-based way.”

For Schwarzmeier, this mission is personal—though not in the way one might assume. “I’m not a heavy patient myself,” he admits. “But this is the first company I’ve built where I feel we’re not just creating a business—we’re changing society. That gives me and my team a lot of energy.”

The Bigger Picture

Enua’s journey reflects both the challenges and the promise of medical cannabis in Europe: slow-moving regulations, high standards of compliance, but also massive opportunity and cultural impact.

“Momentum is everything,” Schwarzmeier says. “Once governments, patients, and the public see how much this helps, you can’t turn back. The future is bright, and we’re only just beginning.”

Lear more at https://enua.de/en/