Several European nations are on the verge of implementing reforms to enhance access to medical cannabis. These changes aim to establish five permanent medical cannabis markets across the region, including three new markets and two transitioning from pilot programs.
Prohibition Partners is set to launch a new digital knowledge hub that will provide ongoing analysis and updates on the cannabis market, including insights into these reforms. Pre-orders for data packages related to the European cannabis market are currently available.
Both France and Spain have announced plans to integrate permanent medical cannabis frameworks within their healthcare systems. France is leading the way, having already conducted trials and trained over 274 doctors on medical cannabis. The proposed regulations will allow for both extract-based and flower products, with mechanisms for new product registration and domestic production.
In contrast, Spain’s approach is more limited, focusing on a narrow eligibility criterion for prescriptions, which will only be available through specialist practitioners. The approved products will be restricted to extract-based options. As Spain develops its medical cannabis framework, the timeline for effective patient access remains uncertain, reflecting a common challenge in transitioning from legal frameworks to practical patient care.
Starting January 2026, Denmark will implement a permanent medical cannabis framework, continuing its pilot program initiated in 2018. This extension aims to bolster guidance for doctors and patients about treatment options, ensuring that medical professionals have the confidence to prescribe cannabis effectively.
In 2024, Slovenian voters supported reforms for cultivating and processing cannabis for medical use. Following this, lawmakers introduced legislation in April 2025 to regulate medical cannabis cultivation, manufacture, and trade. The proposed law will create a licensed cultivation system and establish broad access for patients. Slovenia is also expected to introduce a separate proposal regulating personal cultivation and possession, reflecting the outcomes of the 2024 referendum.
Ukraine legalized medical cannabis treatment and production in February 2024, with a regulatory framework established by August. While domestic production will not be commercially viable until at least 2028, the first medical cannabis products were registered in January 2025. The current system will rely on imported products, and primary care physicians will be able to prescribe cannabis alongside specialists. A high demand for medical cannabis exists due to the increased prevalence of conditions such as PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict.
As these reforms unfold, the landscape of medical cannabis in Europe is rapidly evolving, with countries like France, Spain, Denmark, Slovenia, and Ukraine leading the charge toward more accessible treatment options. Stakeholders within the cannabis industry continue to monitor these developments closely, anticipating significant shifts in policy and patient care.
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