UK Medical Cannabis Forum 2026 Annual Report Released

The UK Medical Cannabis Forum has published its 2026 Annual Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the sector's progress alongside a frank assessment of the systemic challenges that continue to limit equitable patient access in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The report documents substantial growth across all key metrics — including patient numbers, prescribing volumes, product variety and clinic capacity — but identifies persistent gaps in insurance coverage, NHS integration and patient affordability as priority areas requiring urgent policy attention.

Key Findings

Among the headline findings, the report notes that the number of patients holding active medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK has grown to an estimated 85,000 — a trebling of the figure recorded in 2023. However, the Forum estimates that upwards of 1.4 million patients with qualifying conditions remain without access, primarily due to cost and awareness barriers.

The absence of NHS funding for the majority of cannabis-based prescriptions remains the single most significant structural barrier. The average annual cost of a medical cannabis prescription in the UK is estimated at £3,600, placing treatment out of reach for many patients on lower incomes.

Recommendations

The Forum's 2026 recommendations include the establishment of a national patient outcomes registry, the introduction of mandatory medical cannabis education in postgraduate clinical training, and a formal government review of pricing structures in the licensed market. The report also calls for expanded access for veterans with PTSD and for paediatric epilepsy patients whose families are currently navigating a particularly complex prescribing landscape.