As the world turns, Europe realigns itself. Amid a decade of intense transformations, the continent begins to reap the fruits of a seed planted with courage and persistence: caring for others through medical cannabis. 

The 10th edition of the European Cannabis Report, released this Tuesday (29), paints a vibrant and rapidly expanding panorama, signaling not only economic growth, but a change in mentality.

Germany as a compass

Of all the maps drawn in the report, one point shines most brightly: Germany. With a market valued at over €670 million, the country has become the great catalyst for the European turnaround. The new MedCanG law, in effect since October 2024, removed cannabis from the list of narcotics and untied the bureaucratic knots that previously suffocated patients and doctors.

As a result, the country has seen the emergence of more than 20 telemedicine clinics, a robust import and distribution network, and more affordable prices for flowers, the main consumption format. What was once a maze is now becoming a path.

Exporting relief: the role of Denmark and the Czech Republic

If Germany points north, Denmark and the Czech Republic enthusiastically tread this new path. The Danes' decision to make their pilot program permanent has established the country as a major exporter: over 7 tons of medical cannabis sent to Germany in 2024 alone.

Meanwhile, the Czechs have expanded commercial cultivation and surpassed 1,300 kg in exports in the same period. In times of crisis, they deliver not only plants, but hope packaged in sanitary protocols and therapeutic safety.

United Kingdom: between digital drive and financial challenges

In the United Kingdom, the scenario is vibrant and complex. With projections exceeding €300 million by 2025, the market, entirely private, is supplied by over 30 telehealth platforms. However, access still faces obstacles: high prices and the lack of public reimbursement deter many of those in greatest need.

“The UK market is entering a new phase, defined by scale, sophistication, and strong signs of long-term viability,” evaluates analyst Lawrence Purkiss, from Prohibition Partners. The expansion of domestic cultivation and digital integration show that the country is moving from being an exception to becoming a reference.

Poland grows, but stumbles

With a forecast to generate €72 million by 2025, Poland emerges as the fourth largest market in Europe. Regulatory advances and the adoption of telemedicine have given momentum to the sector, but the ban on online consultations decreed in 2024 imposed a brake. Growth continues, but not without scratches.

Italy: pioneer hindered by its own model

In stark contrast to the continental movement, Italy remains rigid in its regulation. Although it was one of the pioneers in Europe, its centralized model of cultivation and acquisition, controlled by the State, keeps the market limited and dependent on a few suppliers, such as Bedrocan. Innovation there goes hand in hand with restraint.

A new era for data

The publication of the report also marks the launch of the Insights Hub, a digital platform from Prohibition Partners that transforms traditional reports into live and dynamic experiences. “Since 2017, we have been monitoring the evolution of the cannabis markets throughout Europe and we knew it was time for something new that kept pace with the rhythm and complexity of what is happening in practice”, says Stephen Murphy, CEO of the company.

According to him, the Insights Hub is more than a data showcase: “It is a tool for companies, regulators, and patients to make informed decisions in a sector that no longer changes year by year, but week by week”.

Flowers, oils, and an expanding future

Although flowers still dominate consumption, oils, extracts, and vaporizer cartridges are gaining ground, especially in more mature markets like Germany and the UK. And while local production is on the rise, the continent still relies on exports from countries like Canada, Portugal, and Denmark.

The projection is clear: by the end of the decade, the main European markets are expected to exceed €1.5 billion in combined value. But behind these numbers lies something even more valuable: a Europe that is beginning to treat its patients with less fear, more science, and a more attentive ear to what nature, and time, have to offer.
 

With information from Cannabis Health News.

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