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UK’s Medical Cannabis Sector Faces Critical Skills Shortage as Less Than 1% of Doctors Trained to Prescribe
Nearly seven years after medical cannabis was legalised, less than 1% of UK specialists are qualified to prescribe it. Despite rising patient demand, public institutions lag in education and support. The upcoming Cannabis Health Symposium aims to close the knowledge gap among healthcare professionals.
The UK’s medical cannabis sector stands at a crossroads. Nearly seven years after legalisation in 2018, the nation faces a striking imbalance: while tens of thousands of patients seek treatment, only a handful of doctors are trained and authorised to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).
This shortage is not a reflection of demand, but of systemic inertia. Universities, the NHS, and regulatory bodies have yet to integrate cannabis medicine into clinical education, leaving clinicians to rely on private learning and peer networks. The result is a market that has grown in patient interest and private-sector innovation, but with limited medical infrastructure to support safe and widespread access.
A rapidly expanding market with restricted access
According to data from Prohibition Partners, nearly 80,000 UK patients will receive medical cannabis treatment in 2025, positioning the UK as Europe’s second-largest medical cannabis market. The number is projected to rise to 190,000 by 2029, generating an estimated €619 million (£539 million) in market value.
However, the NHS remains largely absent from this growth. Fewer than five prescriptions have been issued through NHS channels, with most patients turning to private clinics. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) notes that expanding access could have significant economic benefits, helping individuals return to work and easing long-term healthcare burdens.
Education gap: The key barrier
Out of approximately 100,000 doctors listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register, only 180 clinicians currently prescribe medical cannabis, less than 1%.
Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS), identifies education as the critical missing link.
“We urgently need to train more clinicians in the science of cannabis medicine. We are barely touching the surface of those who would benefit from medicinal cannabis. Many tens of thousands of people living with chronic anxiety, pain, sleep problems, epilepsy and other conditions are being deprived of access, due to both the intransigence of the NHS – and especially the lack of knowledge and education about the plant,” Professor Barnes said.
Cannabis health symposium
Next month, hundreds of healthcare professionals will gather in London for the Cannabis Health Symposium on 25th November 2025, an event jointly presented by Curaleaf Laboratories and the MCCS. The symposium aims to provide expert-led, clinically grounded education on CBPMs to support safe prescribing and patient guidance.
Jonathan Hodgson, CEO at Curaleaf Laboratories, emphasises the importance of education in supporting patients:
“While the adoption of medical cannabis is still only in its infancy here in the UK, we want to help widen access to this as a viable option for patients. In order for us as a medical community to adequately support patients, it’s vitally important that healthcare professionals (HCPs) are able to access much-needed education on cannabis-based medicines, so they can help their patients through guiding access or prescribing directly.”
Industry leadership and collaboration
Curaleaf Laboratories is among the leading UK producers and distributors of EU-GMP medical cannabis, part of Curaleaf International, the European division of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., the world’s largest cannabis company.
With over a decade of expertise in unlicensed medicines (Specials) and a dedicated UK manufacturing facility, Curaleaf’s vertically integrated operations ensure reliable, high-quality supply for clinical use.
The MCCS, meanwhile, continues to lead professional development across the sector, supporting clinicians in the ethical and effective prescribing of cannabis-based medicines.
About Cannabis Health Symposium
The Cannabis Health Symposium is a dedicated educational forum for UK healthcare professionals, focused on advancing clinical understanding of cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). Designed and delivered in partnership with leading industry and medical organisations, the symposium offers expert-led sessions on the safe, ethical, and evidence-based integration of CBPMs into patient care.
About Curaleaf Laboratories
Curaleaf Laboratories is a leading UK manufacturer and distributor of EU-GMP medical cannabis, operating as part of Curaleaf International, a subsidiary of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., the world’s largest cannabis company.
With more than a decade of experience in the development of unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf Laboratories has built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the UK, ensuring full vertical integration from cultivation to patient-ready products. The company’s commitment to scientific excellence, product consistency, and patient access positions it at the forefront of the UK’s evolving medical cannabis landscape.
By supporting education, research, and ethical access to cannabis-based medicines, Curaleaf Laboratories works closely with healthcare professionals to enable informed prescribing and improve quality of life for patients living with chronic and complex health conditions.
About the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS)
The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) is the UK’s independent, clinician-led organisation dedicated to the education, support, and guidance of healthcare professionals in the safe and ethical prescribing of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPMs).
Founded by leading experts in the field, the MCCS provides evidence-based resources, training, and peer support for clinicians who wish to integrate cannabis medicine into their practice responsibly.
Through collaboration, advocacy, and professional development, the MCCS is helping to build the clinical foundations necessary for a sustainable, accessible, and scientifically grounded medical cannabis framework in the UK.
