Higher consumption rates of medical cannabis in UK than Europe
Although medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in November 2018 to be prescribed via the NHS, UK access to medical cannabis is currently almost entirely enabled by private clinics.
Medical cannabis findings published today in a new report – The European Cannabis Report: 9th Edition – by UK-based cannabis data firm, Prohibition Partners predicts that by the end of 2024, there will be almost 63,000 UK medical cannabis users. This amounts to £205 million in sales and the average UK medical cannabis patient consumes £3,261 of medical cannabis per year, or £272 per month.
Compare this to Germany, which has the largest medical cannabis market and patient population in Europe and the statistics tell us that the average medical cannabis patient consumes £1,342 of medical cannabis per year, or £112 per month.
Average prices for dried medical cannabis flower or oil are lower in the UK than in Germany, so the direct factor contributing to this huge 144% difference in spending is an even more considerable variation in consumption levels.
Why are UK Numbers So High?
The high UK medical consumption rates are in part because the medical market is largely private and self-paid. The financial incentives that exist in the system are designed for high prescription numbers. This is unlike the situation in Germany where at least 50% of patients are entitled to claim back their medical cannabis costs under public healthcare rules. The growth of private medical cannabis treatment in Germany in the coming years may see a similar trend emerge.
“Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, 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” -Stephen Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Prohibition Partners
The total number of UK medical cannabis patients is also predicted to soar. By 2028, the number of UK medical cannabis patients is anticipated to grow by 124%, to roughly 141,000 patients.
In Germany meanwhile, the growth rate is only predicted to grow by 24%by 2028. Germany and the UK will make up 77% of all the medical cannabis patients and sales in Europe by 2028 with Germany at 50% and the UK at 27%.
More From Soft Secrets:
UK Medicinal Cannabis, the Future
How Easy is it to get Medicinal Cannabis Prescribed?
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Liz Filmer
