The European cannabis industry is undergoing a period of strong expansion, with reforms, patient demand, and exports reshaping leading markets across the continent. Prohibition Partners has recently released their latest report on Europe, and while we already looked at the market and potential external factors that can impact the old continent, we can now take a deeper dive into the numbers behind Europe's cannabis sector.
Germany: regulatory reform sparks record growth
Germany remains Europe's largest medical cannabis market, valued at more than €670 million in 2025, with projections of €1.32 billion by 2029.
Imports doubled in 2024 to 72,000 kilograms, with Canada, Portugal, and Denmark leading supply. At the same time, domestic cultivation has shifted from a restricted tender system to an open licensing framework, with producers including Tilray/Aphria, Aurora, and Demecan already expanding capacity.
Average flower prices fell from €10.19 to €7.42 per gram over the past year, reflecting increased competition. While flower still dominates (86% of products), other types of product are slowly gaining momentum.
On the adult-use side, more than 230 cannabis cultivation associations are now active under Germany's Cannabis Control Bill (CanG). In addition, 28 districts across 10 states have applied to launch pilot retail projects to study the effects of a regulated market.
"The combination of regulatory reform, telehealth infrastructure, and rising domestic and international supply is setting the benchmark for how quickly medical cannabis markets can scale," says Alex Khourdaji, senior analyst at Prohibition Partners.
UK: second-largest market in Europe
The UK medical cannabis market, currently valued at over £258 million (€300 million), is expected to reach £543 million (€630 million) by 2029.
More than 30 telehealth platforms are serving patients, with digital access now central to the ecosystem. Domestic cultivation is also expanding, with companies such as Glass Pharms, Dalgety, and Celadon scaling operations. Glass Pharms alone, for instance, is set to produce 1,750 kilograms annually under a supply deal with Releaf Clinics.
Imports remain high, rising from under 3 tons before 2022 to 15.5 tonnes in 2024. By March 2025, more than 2 tons had already entered the country. Patient numbers now stand at 50,000-60,000, with forecasts of 80,000 treated patients by the end of the year.
Average prices for flower products remain steady, with only a slight year-on-year decrease from £7.47 to £7.05 per gram. "As domestic cultivation scales and digital access becomes more embedded, the market is evolving rapidly from niche to mainstream, creating opportunity for global players and local pioneers alike," says Lawrence Purkiss, senior analyst at Prohibition Partners.
Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic: exporters on the rise
Poland has grown into Europe's fourth-largest medical cannabis market, projected at €72 million in 2025, supported by telemedicine and new product approvals.
The Czech Republic has increased exports significantly, sending 1,300 kilograms to Germany in 2024 following cultivation reforms. Denmark, meanwhile, exported more than 7 tons to Germany in the same year after making its pilot program permanent.
Portugal: Europe's cultivation hub
Portugal exported over 18 tons of medical cannabis in 2024, a 54% year-on-year increase. Germany accounted for nearly half of these shipments, followed by Spain, Poland, the UK, and Australia. While its role as a global supplier is expanding, patient access within Portugal remains limited due to high costs, a strict approval system, and the absence of public reimbursement.
Switzerland: pilot trials move towards legalization
Switzerland's adult-use cannabis pilots, launched in 2023, now include more than 10,000 participants across seven projects. Results so far show no increase in consumption levels, while participants report improved access to safer products and reduced reliance on illicit markets.
By the end of 2025, sales across all pilots are expected to reach €23.7 million. A draft bill for nationwide legalization has already been approved at committee level, with a final vote expected in 2026.
Europe's cannabis industry is being reshaped by a mix of regulatory reform, patient demand, and expanding exports. Germany and the UK remain the continent's largest medical markets, with Germany's MedCanG law and the UK's scaling domestic cultivation setting the pace for growth. Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic are strengthening their roles as exporters, while Portugal continues to dominate production despite limited patient access at home. Switzerland's pilot projects will be a key space to watch, with a nationwide legalization vote scheduled for 2026.
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