Medical cannabis in the UK: patient numbers and impact in 2025

On top of this, there are still many misconceptions and a certain level of confusion surrounding medical cannabis, with the stigma that has been created in the century surrounding the Cannabis sativa L. plant, enduring, even though it has been scientifically proven to have a wide range of potential therapeutic and medical benefits.

In this write-up, we aim to simplify and answer key questions:

• How many medical cannabis patients are currently in the UK?
• What health concerns is medical cannabis prescribed for?
• Are there restrictions preventing access to this potentially life-changing treatment?
• What are the projected growth numbers for medical cannabis patients in the UK?

Medical cannabis patients UK: how many are there in 2025?

Despite the slow uptake in the early years after legalisation, the number of medical cannabis patients in the UK has now grown significantly in the past 18 months or so. 

While no definitive data is available, in 2025, the UK has an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 active patients, with projections pointing towards 80,000 before the year is out. Growth is steady, if not spectacular, but it marks a huge shift from the empty clinics of 2019 and 2020. 

The system is generally busier, too. Some of the bigger clinics now handle about 1,000 new patients each month, supported by a market offering more than 426 licensed products. Yet the reality remains: demand still dwarfs supply. Millions live with conditions that might qualify, but only a fraction currently make it through the pipeline - for a few key reasons.

The backdrop to all of this is prevalence. Cannabis is still the UK’s most commonly used controlled drug, with ONS 2024 data showing millions of adults reporting recent or lifetime use.

The gap between population use and patient access underlines both progress and the road still ahead.

For an in-depth look into more general UK medical cannabis stats, check out Cannabis statistics UK: key facts and figures 2025

Medical cannabis patient growth and prescribing trends UK

The 2018 reform was billed as a breakthrough. And, of course, it was a huge step forward. But in reality, it took years for the patient curve to even lift off (House of Commons Library, 2018). Growth has only kicked in properly over the past 18 months, when the numbers finally began to look like a sector rather than a pilot project.

That momentum isn’t thanks to the NHS. 

Private clinics are carrying almost the entire load, while NHS prescriptions remain little more than a rounding error. More than 99% of all medical cannabis prescriptions come through the private system, with Releaf leading the charge as the most trusted and fastest-growing clinic in the UK in 2025.

Public opinion has raced ahead of policy. 

YouGov’s 2025 survey shows majorities across most demographics now back medical cannabis, but awareness of how to actually qualify is patchy. Younger adults are far more likely to understand the rules, while older groups remain caught in a fog of stigma and half-remembered headlines.

Cannabis clinics UK: how many are operating in 2025?

The UK clinic landscape has grown, but it is far from settled. Around 20 to 25 specialist cannabis clinics are active in 2025. On paper that looks like progress. In reality, volatility is still the norm, with many of the less successful clinics opening, merging, and closing fast enough to disrupt continuity of care.

Releaf has emerged as one of the few clinics able to offer stability at scale. By building a dedicated patient platform and support system, Releaf has moved ahead of smaller, short-lived operators that struggle with cost pressures and bureaucracy.

Medical cannabis conditions UK: what is it prescribed for?

On the NHS, prescribing remains tightly restricted. Only three conditions are routinely eligible: spasticity in multiple sclerosis, severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, and chemotherapy-induced nausea. This narrow scope is the main reason why most patients look beyond NHS cannabis prescribing in the UK and turn instead to private cannabis clinics UK, where doctors have greater flexibility.

Releaf’s world-class clinical team can legally prescribe medical cannabis treatment options for a far wider range of conditions. By 2025, most patients fall into one of seven key condition groups:

• Pain (including arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, back pain, and sciatica)
• Psychiatric (including anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and mood disorders)
• Neurological (including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and neuropathic pain)
• Gastroenterological (including Crohn’s disease, IBD, IBS, and ulcerative colitis)
• Women’s health (including menopause and endometriosis)
• Cancer (supportive treatment for cancer pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and cancer-related anxiety or depression)
• Sleep disorders (including insomnia and sleep disturbance linked to other conditions)

Leading medical cannabis conditions UK in 2025

Prescription data and clinical experience confirm where demand is strongest:

• Chronic pain remains the leading driver of prescriptions, accounting for the largest patient group
• Psychiatric and neurological condition prescription are expanding quickly, with cannabis being prescribed more often for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative conditions
• The evidence base has matured through 2024–25, giving prescribers and patients greater confidence in cannabis treatment for a broader set of conditions 

UK medical cannabis compared to Germany, Australia and beyond

By 2025, the UK’s medical cannabis market is worth around €269 million, second only to Germany in Europe. 

The headline figure sounds strong, but patient access still lags far behind.

Germany has more than 372,000 patients, supported by GP prescribing and insurance cover. Access is routine, costs are lower, and the system feels normalised in a way the UK hasn’t yet managed.

Australia shows what rapid expansion looks like. 

Sure, the medical cannabis sector is two years older than here in the UK, but it has grown from about 18,000 patients in 2019 to more than one million by early 2024, with around 5,700 prescribers now active. Growth has been explosive, but it has triggered ongoing debate about oversight and prescribing standards.

The UK, in contrast, exports widely but serves relatively few patients at home. That paradox defines the sector: big numbers on paper, limited reach in practice.

To find out more on how cannabis affects the economy in the UK and abroad, head to UK cannabis export statistics 2025: how much does the UK export?

FAQs about medical cannabis in the UK

How many medical cannabis patients are there in the UK?

There are an estimated 60,000 active patients in 2025, with forecasts suggesting the number could reach around 80,000 by the end of the year.

How much does medical cannabis cost in the UK?

Costs vary depending on the clinic and product prescribed. Pricing sits within the private market and can differ widely, though subscription models are beginning to make access more predictable.

Is cannabis legal in the UK?

Medical cannabis has been legal since 2018. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, with no sign of reform in 2025.

What are the benefits of medical cannabis?

Evidence supports its use in managing pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis spasticity, PTSD, and anxiety. Ongoing research continues to broaden the evidence base.

Can I get medical cannabis on the NHS?

Yes, but only in very rare circumstances such as severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea, or MS-related spasticity. Most patients rely on private prescriptions.

How many patients use cannabis in the UK?

Around 2.3 million adults report past-year use. Of these, about 60,000 are registered medical patients, a figure that is expected to rise.

The outlook for medical cannabis patients UK and beyond

Medical cannabis UK is no longer an abstract policy change, but a lived reality for tens of thousands of people. The number of medical cannabis patients in the UK has risen sharply, with estimates around 60,000 and the potential to reach 80,000 before the end of the year. 

That shift is huge, but it also shows the scale of unmet need, as millions remain outside the system. The UK has momentum now, but whether it can match the access seen in Germany or Australia depends on how policy evolves from here.

If you are considering a UK cannabis prescription, the best first step is to try Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It is free, takes less than 20 seconds, and gives you clear guidance on whether UK medical cannabis treatment could be suitable for your condition. There is no obligation, and it can help you understand your options before speaking to a clinician.

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