The UK’s medical cannabis market is primed to be a larger part of the economy in coming years, despite the government’s current cool attitude towards the growing field. Growth has been significant since 2021, after a three year slow start since it was legalised in 2018. However, it hasn’t taken off in the same way global markets like Canada, Germany and the USA have. Why is this, and where could things be going into 2025?
This article will discuss some of the biggest UK medical cannabis business news stories of the year, and attempt to frame them in context of wider trends in the sector. From new data that shows the potential patient growth over 2025 might have been significantly underestimated, to new developments on the supply side that may change the game, to the largest British cannabis patient data survey since legalisation – these were the key stories of the sector in 2025.
New Data Shows Medical Subscriptions Surge, Regulation Still Tight
Despite it being difficult to tell exactly how large the UK medical cannabis market is some new figures found by journalists in 2025 suggest it is growing quickly. Possibly even faster than estimates suggest.
Even with the pressure from regulation and no shift in the NHS’ willingness to prescribe medical cannabis, a top medical cannabinoids dispensary in the UK will have seen this rise in the past year and expanded their operations to fit. Compare the available options with expert and patient reviews before deciding what clinic is best for you.
Freedom of Information Act requests to the NHS Business Services Authority – or the succinctly abbreviated NHSBSA – were compiled by journalists, to work out how much cannabis was prescribed between 2022 and 2024. They found that the prescribed amount of medical cannabis flower by weight in the UK in 2024 was 9800 kilograms. The total volume was up 262% compared to 2022’s figures.
This suggests a massive rise in patients. Most estimates average at around 65,000 patients in 2024 with up to 75,000 by the end of 2025. However, compare that predicted rise in patients for 2025 (~15%) to the confirmed 130% yearly growth in prescription volume over the past two years – and you can see something might be off with the prediction. There are many reasons why the UK’s medical cannabis sector isn’t accurately tracking data as a whole, while the clinics definitely are. But for now, this latest research suggests there may be more UK medical cannabis patients than internet analysis believes.
As well as more new patients, 2025 also saw the the largest survey of existing patients conducted since the 2018 legalisation of prescribed medical cannabis. The results were published in November. At one major clinic, 97% of nearly 1700 patients surveyed said treatment had improved their quality of life. Which is quite a striking figure, and ranks among the strongest self-reported evidence from the UK market so far for cannabis’ medical efficacy.
Domestic Production is on the Rise, More Investment In and Less Importing
For almost a decade now, the UK has been one of the biggest producers of medical cannabis in the world. But, for a complex set of reasons that would need its own article, almost none of that supply has been used for the domestic market.
In 2025, this saw some key developments that show things are changing. In recent years UK medical cannabis clinics have imported almost all their flower, as UK growers previously only made stock suitable for cannabis derived pharmaceuticals, and not licensed for patient supply.
Prescribed and non medical patients alike are increasingly also seeking out CBD products through methods like cannaray cbd reviews. If more domestic cultivation can actually be turned into usable product for CBD companies, then this growing market’s profits can be kept in the country.
In 2025 the first UK medical cannabis grower licensed to supply clinics for direct patient treatment, began doing so. That has now been so successful it has expanded its range. The year also saw increasing investment in UK clinics, with the aim of some of them setting up their own farms and grows to supply patients with in-house medication.
Over the year tens of millions in investments poured into some of the biggest British clinics through publicised funding rounds – and no doubt similar amounts were secured privately too.
The Sector is Primed for Growth, Which Benefits Patients and the Economy
Although there is no conclusive data shared with the public across all parts of the business, it seems it was a good year for UK medical cannabis clinics and patients.
While the prevalence of chronic pain, anxiety and depression among working age people is a looming spectre on the economic horizon, the expansion of medical cannabis offers possible relief. If even a few percentage points of the estimated more than two million people of working age unemployed due to long term health conditions in the UK – the economic effect would be considerable. Let alone the holistic health benefits that would have for thousands of people.
The business also has a lot of space to grow. At present, around 0.01% – 0.02% of UK residents have tried a medical cannabis prescription. Far below the 1-2% of the population in comparable markets like Germany, the US and Canada. If the issues in the market can be solved with innovation and investment, explosive growth is possible and billions could be generated for the treasury.
