Features

Europe is getting its cannabis act together

Published on July 21, 2026 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

Once slow and fragmented, Europe’s cannabis market “is now gaining serious momentum as more countries open up medical cannabis programs, expand patient access, and create clearer licensing frameworks for producers and distributors,” a commentary says.

“Germany continues to lead the charge after its cannabis reforms, but countries like the UK, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic are also becoming major pieces of the puzzle,” says Market News Updates in a pair of commentaries on the topic.

“Europe is increasingly being viewed as the next major long-term cannabis opportunity outside North America,” the commentary/analysis pieces say.

“According to market forecasts, the European medical cannabis market was valued at roughly $3.06 billion in 2025 and is projected to climb to more than $13.1 billion by 2034.

“Demand continues rising for CBD-based therapies in particular because they are being used more frequently for pain management, inflammation, sleep disorders, neurological conditions, and anxiety-related treatments.

“As research improves and physicians become more comfortable prescribing cannabis-based medicine, the industry is starting to move further into the mainstream healthcare conversation.”

Canadian companies like Herbal Dispatch, which recently announced two large export shipments to Europe, stand to benefit, said MNU.

The reports note Canadian companies Aurora, Tilray, Canopy Growth and Organigram are also active on the continent.

“Continued demand from new international buyers reflects the increasing recognition of Canadian cannabis products within regulated global medical markets, particularly across Europe where demand for imported EU-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant cannabis products continues to rise.”

In another commentary, MNU declared the medical cannabis sector is on the rise in North America, Europe and parts of Asia, in particular: “driven by a mix of expanding legalization, deeper clinical research, and a noticeable shift in how both patients and doctors view cannabis-based treatments.

“At the same time, demand is rising for alternatives to traditional pain management, particularly non-opioid options … All of this is helping medical cannabis move out of the margins and into the healthcare mainstream.”

“The global medical marijuana market is expected to land around $26-27 billion in 2026, with projections climbing past $130 billion by the early to mid-2030s.

“New developments in cannabinoid-based medicines, more precise dosing methods, and user-friendly delivery options like oils, capsules, and edibles are making these treatments more accessible and credible,” the commentary says.