The debate around cannabis legalisation in the United Kingdom has been gaining momentum in recent years – fuelled by calls from the London Drugs Commission to decriminalise small amounts. Yet Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now drawn a clear line: under his Labour government, there will be no legalisation of recreational cannabis.
Starmer draws a hard line: “We’re not going down that route”
Speaking to students in Liverpool during the Labour Party Conference, Starmer made his stance unambiguous: “No, I’m afraid not”. When asked what answer the students had been hoping for, he joked that perhaps a few hands had gone up quietly in support – but his message was clear: legalisation is not on the political agenda.
This positions Labour firmly against the path taken in countries like Germany, Canada, or a growing number of U.S. states. Even London’s proposals to remove cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act are unlikely to see national support under the current government.
The current legal framework: strict rules, narrow exceptions
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Cannabis remains a Class B Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, carrying heavy penalties for possession, cultivation, or supply.
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Since 2018, medical cannabis has been theoretically prescribable, though access remains heavily restricted and bureaucratic.
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CBD products with minimal THC content are permitted but operate under a tightly regulated grey zone.
This restrictive framework will remain in place for the foreseeable future – and Starmer’s comments make clear that no recreational reforms are imminent.
Why Labour is holding back
Labour’s caution can be understood through political logic:
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The party seeks to appeal to the broad political centre and avoid alienating more conservative voters.
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Drug policy remains a sensitive issue, linked in public perception to crime, youth risk, and health concerns.
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Starmer’s leadership style emphasises stability and incremental reform rather than radical change.
The medical sector: a clear growth engine
While the recreational market remains blocked, the medical cannabis market is set to continue booming:
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Patient demand is growing steadily, particularly for conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and MS.
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Private clinics and telemedicine providers are stepping in to fill the gap left by the NHS, which has been slow to adopt prescribing.
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Investors and businesses see strong opportunities in imports, pharmaceutical development, and specialised medical services.
Starmer’s rejection of legalisation therefore shifts the Window of Opportunity: for entrepreneurs, investors, and international companies, the UK market will continue to be shaped primarily by medical cannabis.
The medical sector: rapid growth despite restrictions
While recreational use is politically blocked, the UK medical cannabis sector is booming:
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Patient numbers have surged from a few thousand in 2019 to nearly 63,000 in 2024, with forecasts of over 140,000 by 2028.
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Market size has reached ~ £205 million in 2024, growing at nearly 10% month-on-month in recent quarters.
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Over 300,000 prescriptions were issued between April 2023 and April 2024 – more than double the previous year.
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Almost 80% of prescriptions are for flower, predominantly imported, though the first UK-licensed cultivators (e.g., Glass Pharms) have now begun supplying the domestic market.
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The average patient spend (~£3,200 annually) is among the highest in Europe, underlining the strength of the self-pay model.
These dynamics confirm that while political leaders hold back on recreational reform, the medical cannabis industry is accelerating fast, with private clinics, imports, and new domestic producers driving growth.
Conclusion
While countries such as Germany move ahead with partial legalisation of recreational use, the United Kingdom under Labour will remain conservative. Keir Starmer has effectively closed the door on legalisation in the near term.
For the industry, this means one thing: recreational is off the table – medical is the growth story.
The UK’s cannabis sector will remain firmly anchored in the medical space, with research, investment, and patient access driving the next phase of expansion.
