Incumbent UK Providers Are the ‘Root Cause of the Sector’s Stagnation Since the Legalisation of Medical Cannabis in 2018′

Business of Cannabis sat down with Releaf’s CEO Tim Kirby to discuss the current state of the UK’s medical cannabis sector, and what is needed to see it reach it’s full potential. 

Since the UK legalisation of CBPMs in 2018, the sector has faced slow adoption due to ineffective patient outreach, inconsistent supply chains and variable quality control from other providers.

The UK CBPM market presents an addressable market of approximately 3 million patients, based on a 3% adult penetration seen in mature markets.

However, the UK currently has around 30,000 registered CBPM patients due to inadequate provider infrastructure and ineffective marketing – we’ve made it our mission to tackle these challenges head-on, with a strong focus being on education and awareness.

My role centres on creating the conditions for our proprietary HealthTech platform to meet medical excellence, ensuring exceptional patient outcomes.

These conditions have allowed Releaf to revolutionise patient access to CBPMs and redefine what true excellence in UK healthcare looks like. With over £2 million invested and more than two years of development, this platform provides a seamless, end-to-end digital experience fully integrated into the vertical supply chain.

It supports rigid prescribing guidelines delivered by our 26+ specialist doctors and allows patients to easily manage their treatment plans, with prompt access to care and medication. This integrated technology facilitates greater communication and data analysis, leading to improved treatment outcomes and enhanced patient satisfaction.

Releaf has incorporated 15 validated, condition-specific tools into its platform, each subject to peer review and endorsed by respected university faculties and global thought leaders. This allows us to collect and use quality-of-life improvement data from a large patient cohort, demonstrating the impact CBPMs have on treatable conditions and helping to give people back something that is hugely important to them… their lives!

Patients are choosing Releaf for our commitment to quality, safety and education. Our Senior Leadership Team prioritises a healthcare experience rooted in strict prescribing standards and guaranteed quality, as outlined in our Patient Charter. This commitment builds genuine trust with patients, many of whom have previously felt underserved by inconsistent care from other providers.

The incumbent UK providers are the root cause of the sector’s stagnation since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018. It’s worth questioning whether the image of current providers – exemplified by brand ambassadors (professional YouTube ‘stoners’), or the socials of some clinics’ leadership and employees (note that combusting your prescription is explicitly illegal in the 2018 legislation change’s wording) are truly healthcare-focused.

Furthermore, are ‘medication’ providers who import cannabis marketed to a recreational market such as ‘Fuck Around and Find Out’ or ‘Tyson 2.0’ (gummies in the shape of a bitten ear) or clinic owners such as Big Narstie who are portrayed openly smoking joints, true representatives of healthcare?

For patients, this can be alienating; in fact, over 80% of our patients are new to cannabis and many report they were deterred from trying life-changing medication due to this recreationally focused imagery and messaging.

I’m proud to lead a team with extensive expertise in highly regulated industries; I myself have a proven track record in driving rapid growth in complex markets that appear opaque, navigating regulation and making such markets feel simple and transparent at the point of need. Our COO, Graham Woodward, brings invaluable experience as a Specialist Advisor to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and a former NHS mental health nurse, highlighting our commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence and strict governance.

Our Compliance Director, Rupa Shah, who serves on committees within the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), contributes expert insights into compliant marketing practices, ensuring our messaging is both transparent and educational. This compliance-focused approach reassures patients that we uphold the highest legal and ethical standards, playing a key role in attracting new patients.

Another crucial aspect of our clinical excellence is our partnership with Glass Pharms, the first domestic supplier of UK-grown medical cannabis. This partnership ensures a consistent, high-quality supply of CBPMs, addressing past issues where supply chain disruptions impacted patient care. Releaf patients now benefit from uninterrupted access to medication and exclusive products, sourced from Glass Pharms and a formulary that includes other leading providers such as SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals.

Our collaboration with Omura introduces exclusive products like the Series X device, which offers patients a premium, user-friendly option for consuming their prescriptions and enhancing both their experience and adherence to treatment plans.

Releaf’s rapid growth can be attributed to our leadership’s commitment to excellence, putting the patient experience at the heart of all we do and investing in strategic partnerships that deliver a fully integrated supply chain, all housed within a unique HealthTech platform. We guarantee patients quality and consistency in their treatment plans – no wonder Releaf is the fastest growing and most trusted CBPM clinic in the UK..

We consistently exceed patient growth forecasts, currently onboarding 100+ patients/day, demonstrating our unique position to expand and redefine the UK’s healthcare sector and to put patients back in control of their well-being.