The latest data from the UK medical cannabis market reveals a significant shift in patient consumption patterns. While medical cannabis flower remains the dominant prescribed product category, alternative formats such as vaporization products and cannabis-infused gummies are experiencing substantially faster growth.
According to recent figures released by the UK National Health Service Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), more than 15 tonnes of prescribed medical cannabis flower were dispensed in 2025. However, for the first time since medical cannabis was legalized in the UK in November 2018, cannabis flower has lost its majority share of the overall medical cannabis market to other product categories.
Data shows that during the first seven months of 2025 alone, UK medical cannabis pharmacies dispensed nearly 633,000 cannabis prescriptions—equivalent to approximately 97% of the total prescriptions recorded throughout all of 2024.
Vaporization Products and Gummies Emerge as Fastest-Growing Categories
Although cannabis flower prescriptions have continued to increase significantly in recent years, inhalable extracts and edible cannabis products are currently expanding at a much faster pace.
Monthly flower sales surged from 158 kilograms in 2022 to 1,370 kilograms by July 2025, representing an eightfold increase within just three years. Despite this remarkable growth, flower's share of total prescriptions slightly declined from 84% to 83%.
In contrast, prescriptions for vaporization products increased by 182% compared with average monthly volumes in 2024, while edible products recorded a 131% growth rate. Cannabis oils and tinctures also maintained strong momentum, growing by 27%.
According to Valdovinos of Cannamonitor:
"The UK is no longer an emerging market—it is a rapidly expanding one. The development of clinical and supply-chain infrastructure is fueling demand growth. Some observers see this as a trend similar to Germany's model, where cannabis legalization gradually advances through pharmacy distribution channels."
This evolution reflects a broader diversification of the UK medical cannabis market. Five years ago, patients generally had only two options: cannabis flower or cannabis oil. Today, prescription offerings span a wide range of formats, including THC-rich and CBD-rich flower, vape cartridges, disposable vaporizers, oral formulations, and balanced cannabinoid tinctures.
Product Innovation Is Reshaping Patient Preferences
The growing popularity of vaporization devices and oral cannabis products suggests that the UK market is entering a more mature phase, where innovation—not merely patient growth—is becoming a key market driver.
Valdovinos noted:
"While flower sales continue to rise rapidly in the UK, vaporization and edible products are growing even faster. This trend has already been observed in Australia. Although the shift remains relatively modest in percentage terms, it clearly demonstrates that product innovation is driving market evolution."
The analysis also highlights notable differences in cannabinoid composition across product categories.
Inhalable products remain heavily dominated by THC-rich formulations. Approximately 97% of cannabis flower products and 88% of vaporization products fall into the THC-dominant category.
By comparison, oral products are increasingly adopting more balanced THC-to-CBD ratios. More than half of liquid oral formulations now feature balanced cannabinoid profiles, while 77% of solid oral products contain balanced THC/CBD formulations.
The growing diversity of delivery methods may also reflect changing patient expectations, with many patients seeking administration options that are more discreet, precise, and convenient than traditional cannabis flower consumption.
UK Market Shows Signs of Polarization
The report further identifies an emerging polarization within the cannabis flower segment itself, characterized by growth at both ends of the potency spectrum.
Average THC potency in prescribed flower products increased from 20.3% in 2022 to 23.8% during the first half of 2025.
However, the market is not simply shifting toward stronger products. Industry analysts observe a bifurcated landscape emerging between premium, high-potency flower and more affordable, value-oriented alternatives.
Products containing more than 28% THC increased their market share from 13% to 18%, while mid-range products containing 20%–24% THC experienced a decline.
At the same time, flower products containing less than 20% THC rebounded from 5% to 8% market share. This growth has been partially driven by the introduction of lower-cost formats such as "smalls" and "popcorn flower," which appeal to price-sensitive patients.
Valdovinos explained:
"The data indicates that average potency is increasing overall, but it also reveals a polarized market structure. Premium high-THC products occupy the top end of the market, while lower-cost formats such as smalls and popcorn flower are rebuilding value segments at the bottom."
Continued Diversification Expected Through 2026
An estimated 80,000 patients in the UK currently receive prescribed medical cannabis treatments, and they now have access to a significantly broader range of product options than ever before.
Industry observers expect this diversification trend to continue throughout 2026. Beyond flower products, emerging categories such as topical creams, cannabis extracts, suppositories, and other specialized formulations are expected to gain traction as manufacturers and healthcare providers continue to expand product offerings.
As the UK medical cannabis sector matures, product innovation, diversified delivery methods, and evolving patient preferences are likely to remain the primary forces shaping market growth in the years ahead.