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Cannabis use remains a notable public health and policy topic in the UK, with ongoing discussion around its impact, regulation, and changing patterns of use. While recreational cannabis remains illegal, the legal and medical landscape has evolved in recent years, particularly following the introduction of specialist-prescribed cannabis-based medicines.
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf. You can find out if you’re eligible for a medical cannabis prescription by completing the quick eligibility checker on our website.
Please note: Cannabis-based medicines are prescription-only medicines. They may not be suitable for everyone, and eligibility is determined by independent clinical assessment. Treatment is not first-line and outcomes vary; benefits are not guaranteed, and side effects and risks exist.
Understanding current statistics on usage, medical access, and broader trends can help provide context for how cannabis is viewed and managed within the UK today. And that’s exactly what we’ll be exploring below; cannabis prevalence in the UK as well as statistics on use and how to consume safely and legally.
Cannabis Use: How Many People Use Cannabis in the UK?
Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the UK, with data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showing that around 6.5% of adults aged 16 to 59 (approximately 2.3 million people) reported using cannabis in the past year. This is based on cannabis statistics UK 2026.
Lifetime use is higher, reflecting that a larger proportion of adults have tried cannabis at some point, even if they are not current users. These figures highlight that while regular use is relatively limited to a minority of the population, cannabis continues to have a measurable presence across the UK.
Cannabis Use by Age and Gender in the UK
Cannabis use in the UK varies by age and gender, with younger adults reporting the highest rates. Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that people aged 16 to 24 have the highest level of past-year use compared to older age groups. Usage is also more commonly reported by men than women across most age ranges. These patterns have remained broadly consistent over time and help highlight which groups are most affected by current trends in cannabis use.
Why Do People Report Using Cannabis in the UK?
People in the UK report using cannabis for several main reasons. Surveys, including those by the Office for National Statistics and Public Health England, show that most people use it recreationally to relax or enhance social experiences. Others use it for possible symptom management, such as trying to relieve pain, anxiety, or sleep problems, even without medical guidance. Curiosity and wanting to experiment also play a role, especially among younger users. Some people describe social reasons, such as fitting in with friends or being part of a group.
It’s important to remind you that recreational cannabis use is illegal. If you are looking for an alternative treatment option, seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. We prescribe for over 50 conditions. To qualify you’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, plus evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition.
We won’t prescribe to anyone who is pregnant or has a history of psychosis or schizophrenia. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
Medical Cannabis Statistics in the UK
Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in November 2018, the UK has seen a significant shift from public to private sector prescribing. While the NHS remains highly restrictive, the private sector has experienced exponential growth. Estimates for 2025 suggest there are now between 80,000 and 100,000 active medical cannabis patients across the UK. This surge is reflected in the volume of private prescriptions, which more than doubled from 2023 to 2024.
According to the NHS Business Services Authority and specialist clinics, the most common reasons patients seek consultations include chronic or neuropathic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disturbances, alongside regulated use for rare forms of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Cannabis, Mental Health and Dependence: What Research Suggests
Research highlights a complex link between frequent cannabis use and various mental health outcomes, though experts stress the importance of distinguishing between correlation and causation. Prescribed medical cannabis is monitored and use is guided by an expert. Medical cannabis is also produced under strict pharmaceutical standards and quality controls, providing a level of consistency and transparency not found in the unregulated market.
While research into the relationship between cannabis and mental health is ongoing, our expert clinicians at Alternaleaf prioritise patient safety. As we mentioned above, we won’t prescribe to anyone with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, as medical cannabis use may not be suitable for them.
Medical cannabis patients in the UK are guided every step of the way - and consuming as prescribed should decrease the risk of dependence.
This possible risk that links cannabis and mental health,and dependance, may be more focused around recreational use, or applies to those who are more vulnerable before treatment has even begun. Let’s explore the difference between recreational and medical cannabis?
Recreational Cannabis vs Legal Medical Cannabis in the UK
Since 2018, doctors have been able to legally prescribe medical cannabis in the UK. Medical cannabis is regulated, grown in controlled environments and to a strict level of quality. It’s legal, tested, and tailored to you and your needs. A medical cannabis prescription from a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf, also comes with expert guidance whenever you need it.
Using cannabis recreationally is illegal. Some people use it to self medicate, others use it to experience the ‘high’ recreational cannabis is often associated with. But either way, without a prescription, cannabis use remains illegal in the UK.
Recreational cannabis lacks medical oversight, and is obtained from unregulated and illegal sources. You don’t know where it has come from, what it contains, or how it will affect you. Each time you purchase could result in different effects after consumption.
Summary
If you’re considering medical cannabis, the best thing to do is seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.