Medical cannabis boom in the UK: patients, demand and consumption reach all-time highs

The UK is the main driver of growth in the European medical cannabis market, with higher-than-expected sales due to «unusually high» per-patient consumption volumes.

By the end of 2024, for example, 62,960 patients are expected to consume medical cannabis in the UK, generating €240 million (£205 million) in sales, meaning that the average patient will consume €3,811 (£3,261) of medical cannabis per year, or €318 (£272) per month.

By way of comparison, in Germany, where the medical cannabis market and patient population are the largest in Europe, the average patient will consume €1,563 (£1,342) of medical cannabis per year, or €130 (£112) per month.

Average prices paid per gram of dried medical cannabis flower or per milliliter of oil are lower in the UK than in Germany, so the main factor contributing to this staggering 144 % difference in spending is an even greater divergence in consumption volumes.

Medical cannabis in the UK

These findings were published in a new report from Prohibition Partners, a British company data and information on cannabis.

Why such a high level?

Lawrence Purkiss, Senior Analyst at Prohibition Partners, The UK's comparatively high consumption rates per patient are, at least in part, a consequence of the fact that the market is entirely private and self-paying. Financial incentives within the system are geared towards high prescription volumes, in contrast to Germany where at least 50 % of patients have their medical cannabis costs reimbursed as part of public healthcare.«

Stephen Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Prohibition Partners, added: «The conclusions of the 9th edition of the European Cannabis Report highlight an intriguing trend: patients in the UK consume more than their counterparts in other European markets. Since the legalization of medical cannabis in 2018, private companies have sought to improve options and accessibility for patients. However, due to supply chain restrictions and costs, patients often opt for volume over frequency. This highlights the need for continued efforts to streamline regulations and improve affordability to ensure patients» needs are properly met."

Booming market and patient numbers in the UK

Growth in the total number of medical cannabis patients in the UK is also set to soar over the next four years. By 2028, the number of medical cannabis patients in the UK is expected to increase by 124 % to around 141,000 patients (up from around 63,000 at the end of 2024).

By comparison, in Germany, the growth rate is only 24 %, with around 346,000 medical cannabis patients expected by 2028 (up from around 278,000 by the end of 2024).

Together, Germany and the UK will account for 77 % of all medical cannabis sales and patients in Europe by 2028 (Germany 50 %, UK 27 %).

Private clinics drive growth

Although medical cannabis was legalized in the UK in November 2018 and is technically available on prescription through the National Health Service (NHS), patient access to medical cannabis in the UK is almost exclusively facilitated by private dispensaries.

These clinics are supplied by leading medical cannabis distributors such as Curaleaf Laboratories. Commenting on the growth in sales and patient population in the UK, Jonathan Hodgson, CEO of Curaleaf Laboratories, said, «The start of 2024 has already shown a huge level of growth, with a record number of UK private dispensaries now providing medical cannabis treatment for lower appointment costs than ever before. More formulations and dosage forms have appeared on the market, such as lozenges and liquid vaporization cartridges, expanding the treatment options specialists can prescribe to patients.»

These results concerning medical cannabis have been published in a new report - The European Cannabis Report 9th edition - by Prohibition Partners. A version of the report can be downloaded free of charge from the Prohibition Partners.

About Prohibition Partners

Prohibition Partners is a company of data, The company is a UK-based media and technology company operating in the legal cannabis industry. It provides the industry with specialist information and data analysis.

For further comments, more information on the report or data visualization, please contact Mike Hoban - [email protected]