The UK medical cannabis market is expected to more than double in value over the coming four years from its current estimated size of £258 million to £558 million, according to analysts from UK-based cannabis research company Prohibition Partners.
Cannabis was made legal on prescription in the UK on the 1st of November 2018, with initial patient numbers growing slowly. By 2022, only an estimated 20% of the UK population was aware that cannabis could be prescribed to them for any condition.
In the 10th edition of The European Cannabis Report, Prohibition Partners estimates that current patient numbers stand at approximately 50,000-60,000, all receiving treatment through private clinics, with over 30 telehealth platforms now supporting access to medical cannabis. Patient numbers are estimated to increase to 80,000 in the UK by the end of 2025.
Cannabis-based prescription medicines are available in various forms, including dried flower, oils, extracts, vape cartridges and edibles, derived from over 230 different cannabis cultivars (strains), including well-known varieties such as Northern Lights and Chem Dawg.
Dried flowers account for nearly 70% of the UK medical market, and prices range from £4 to £13 per gram, depending on quality. Patients receive their dried flower in 10-gram packs. Average flower prices have remained relatively stable, dropping slightly from £7.47 to £7.05 per gram year-on-year.
Patients can choose from 43 clinics operating across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, with digital platforms driving growth. According the the report, two clinics claim they attract over 700,000 monthly website visitors, suggesting that there is widespread interest in medical cannabis beyond the current patient base.
The report states that the UK is currently the 2nd largest medical cannabis market in Europe. Germany leads with a market valued at over €670 million, boosted by the MedCanG law enacted in April 2024, which removed cannabis from the narcotics list and eliminated bureaucratic barriers. Despite some concerns about the rapid growth in Germany, the report estimates the market could reach €1.32 billion by 2029.
Across Europe, the combined medical cannabis market is valued at €1.12 billion and projected to reach €2.9 billion by 2029, signalling strong growth across the continent.
“The UK medical cannabis market is entering a new phase – defined by scale, sophistication, and strong signals of long-term viability,” said Lawrence Purkiss, senior analyst at Prohibition Partners. “As domestic cultivation scales and digital access becomes more embedded, the market is evolving rapidly from niche to mainstream.”
