UK’s demand for medical cannabis surges

According to a new report published by UK-based cannabis data and intelligence company Prohibition Partners, sales of medical cannabis in the UK are greater than expected due to “unusually high” consumption volumes on a per-patient basis.

By the end of 2024, 62,960 patients are forecasted to be using medical cannabis in the UK, generating €240 million (£205 million) in sales. Based on this, the average medical cannabis patient in the UK will consume €3,811 worth (£3,261) of medical cannabis per year, or €318 worth (£272) per month.

In comparison, Germany, which has the largest medical cannabis market and patient population in Europe, has an average consumption rate per patient of €1,563 (£1,342), or €130 (£112) per month.

Average prices paid per gram of dried medical cannabis flower or millilitre of oil are lower in the UK than in Germany, so the primary factor contributing to this “staggering” 144% difference in spend is an even larger divergence in consumption volumes, says Prohibition Partners.

What is driving the growth?

Speaking about the potential reasons for high consumption rates in the UK compared with other European countries, Lawrence Purkiss, Senior Analyst at Prohibition Partners, said: “The comparatively high per-patient consumption rates in the UK are at least in part a consequence of the fact that the market is entirely private and self-paid. The financial incentives within the system are geared towards high prescription volumes, unlike in Germany where at least 50% of patients have their medical cannabis costs reimbursed under public healthcare.”

Stephen Murphy, Co-Founder and CEO of Prohibition Partners, added: “Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018 [in the UK], private companies have aimed to enhance options and accessibility for patients. However, due to supply chain restrictions and costs, patients often opt for volume over frequency.”

Future predictions

Growth in the total number of medical cannabis patients is forecast 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 approximately 141,000 patients (up from approximately 63,000 by the end of 2024).

By comparison, in Germany, the growth rate is just 24%, with approximately 346,000 medical cannabis patients anticipated by 2028 (up from 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%).

Last year, the Colombian government declared mandatory insurance coverage for medical cannabis prescriptions for patients in the country.