Watch: Inside the UK Medical Cannabis Market
July 7, 2026 | IN NEWS | BY Kate Thorpe
Society Chair, Professor Mike Barnes, recently joined Cannamonitor founder Arnau Valdovinos for a wide-ranging webinar exploring the development and future of the UK medical cannabis market.
During the 60-minute webinar, Professor Barnes and Arnau examine the data behind eight years of steady UK market growth. The country reportedly imported 30 tonnes of medical cannabis flower in 2025 and now serves an estimated 83,000 patients, yet treatment remains largely confined to the private sector, costing patients an average of around £300 per month.
The discussion considers what may happen next, including the case for a centralised NHS Individual Funding Request pathway to widen patient access. It also explores the rapid growth of prescribing, the concentration of patients among the largest clinics, and changes in the medicines being supplie, including the rising popularity of cannabis vapes and the limited range of alternative formulations.
Professor Barnes also addresses several important clinical and regulatory questions. He explains why higher THC levels do not necessarily produce better medical outcomes, discusses the limitations of terms such as “Indica” and “Sativa”, and highlights the importance of full Certificates of Analysis and more meaningful chemovar information.
The speakers also consider why cannabis medicines do not fit comfortably within the conventional pharmaceutical assessment system. Professor Barnes sets out the case for a separate “botanical NICE” route that better reflects the complexity and nature of cannabis-based medicines.
This is an insightful discussion for clinicians, patients, policymakers and anyone interested in the future of medical cannabis in the UK.
Watch the full webinar below.