7 min read
Cecily Grace Morgan
There’s no official register for the number of medical cannabis patients in the UK, so the exact number isn’t known. Research by Plantz and Cannavec.ai (May 2026) estimated that there were around 60,000 to 75,000.
The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (January 2026) uses NHSBSA data showing private prescriptions rising from around 283,000 in 2023 to 659,000 in 2024, which at about eight prescriptions a year is roughly 82,000 patients.
Key takeaways
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It’s hard to pinpoint an accurate number because the number of prescriptions doesn’t correlate to the number of patients because a patient may have several prescriptions a year. What’s more, as medical cannabis is almost always prescribed by private clinics, data isn’t collected centrally.
While no definitive data is available, in mid-2026, The Cannabis Industry Council put active patients at between 60,000 to 75,000. The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (January 2026) uses NHSBSA data showing private prescriptions rising from around 283,000 in 2023 to 659,000 in 2024, which at about eight prescriptions a year is roughly 82,000 patients.
The UK clinic landscape has grown, with many specialist cannabis clinics active in 2026. 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.
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 team can legally prescribe medical cannabis treatment options for a far wider range of conditions. 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)
While no definitive data is available, in mid-2026, The Cannabis Industry Council put active patients at between 60,000 to 75,000. The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (January 2026) uses NHSBSA data showing private prescriptions rising from around 283,000 in 2023 to 659,000 in 2024, which at about eight prescriptions a year is roughly 82,000 patients.
The UK clinic landscape has grown, with many specialist cannabis clinics active in 2026. 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.
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 team can legally prescribe medical cannabis treatment options for a far wider range of conditions. 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)
Although the UK medical cannabis industry is growing, it’s still behind other countries, including Germany and Australia.
Germany has approximately 720,000 patients, supported by GP prescribing and, in some cases, health insurance cover.
Australia shows what rapid expansion looks like.
Australia legalised medical cannabis two years before the UK did, and it’s now estimated to be worth 1021.18 million US dollars (£761.34 million British pounds). Market value 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?
When it comes to medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK, the majority come from private, trusted clinics like Releaf, with NHS medical cannabis prescriptions remaining rare.
There are an estimated 60,000 to 75,000 active patients in 2026, according to the Cannabis Industry Council. The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (January 2026) uses NHSBSA data that estimates there may even be up to 82,000 patients.
Costs vary depending on the clinic and product prescribed. Pricing sits within the private market and can differ widely, but our pricing guide can help you work out how much treatment may cost for you.
Medical cannabis has been legal since 2018. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, with no sign of reform in 2026.
There’s evidence to suggest it may be beneficial to certain patients living with a number of health conditions, including chronic pain and anxiety.
Yes, but only in very rare circumstances such as severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea or MS-related spasticity. Most patients rely on private prescriptions.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), between 6.5% and 6.8% of the adult population used cannabis in 2025, this equates to around 2.3 million people in England and Wales.
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 continues to rise, with estimates putting the number of patients at around 60,000 to 82,000.
The shift has been 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 would like to know if you’re eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, our free online eligibility checker is the best place to start.
Releaf - Redefining healthcare
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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