Industry Outlook

Medical Marijuana market accounted for USD 31.2 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 270.6 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 21.7% between 2025 and 2035. The medical marijuana market pertains to the industry focused on the cultivation, production, and distribution of cannabis products for medical use. This market includes a wide range of cannabis products intended to be administered as tinctures, oils, edibles, and topical treatments to manage various medical conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. It is supported by growing acceptance of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, evolving regulations, and growing demand from patients. The market consists of both large established pharmaceutical companies and startup companies (some are publicly traded), along with rapid innovation and large investment opportunities.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

• Growing acceptance of Medical Marijuana and its legalization in various regions

As more regions and countries become aware of the therapeutic benefits provided by cannabis, it has become increasingly common for these places to legalize Marijuana for therapeutic purposes. Not only does this increase the potential patient population, but it also allows a more facilitative regulatory environment. Increased awareness by the public, along with changing attitudes towards marijuana will only facilitate its acceptance and catalyze more investment and innovation in the field.

For example, in 2023, the U.S. passed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, which allows for more expansive research on medical cannabis. Likewise, countries such as Germany and Thailand have begun to legalize and regulate medical marijuana. India and Ireland are also considering allowing medical marijuana usage. All of these actions contribute to greater patient access to medical marijuana and enhanced medicinal benefits.

• Expensive products and treatment costs can limit accessibility for some patients.

Regional complexity and variation in regulations and other constraints present a key obstacle to the medical marijuana market. There are varying legal, compliance, and regulatory hurdles for companies looking to expand across borders. Most notably, each legal jurisdiction can have a unique regulatory framework. These inconsistencies can lead to delays in product approval, high operational costs, and challenges in maintaining regulatory compliance.

For Instance, in the United States, medical marijuana laws can vary significantly from state to state, creating non-uniformity in laws that need to be complied for interstate activities. Similarly, in Europe, each country has its regulatory approach, with some having stringent approval processes while others are more lenient.

• Opportunities for integrating medical marijuana with conventional treatments for a holistic approach

Integrating medicinal marijuana into conventional treatments constitutes a promising possibility for the medicinal marijuana market, creating a more comprehensive therapeutic approach to patient treatment. The concurrent use of cannabis with traditional treatment approaches can improve treatment outcomes, control symptoms better, and possibly limit the use of pharmaceuticals that have more serious side effects. For example, patients have demonstrated the benefit of using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, alleviate nausea from chemotherapy, and stimulate appetite during treatment.

Integrating medicinal marijuana expands the range of potential treatment for indications, creating opportunities for healthcare integration to advance a greater adoption of cannabis in therapies. It may also spur changes in treatment protocols and innovation for treatment through the medical cannabis industry as a component of a more comprehensive model of care. 

Industry Experts Opinion

 “Cannabis is probably the planet’s oldest medicine. In ancient China it was used for more than 100 conditions”

• Professor David Nutt, a world-renowned neuropsychopharmacologist and former government adviser on drug policy

“Our evaluations show that between 30 and 40 percent of symptoms like pain, spasms, quality of life or epileptic seizures for example, have improved significantly.”, “Cannabis-based medicines are currently dispensed in hospitals or in hospital pharmacies, but in the long-run, most of them will become available in regular pharmacies much like any other drug”

• Nicolas Authier, Specialised In Pharmacology, Addiction And Pain. President Of The Scientific Committee (Monitoring The Medical Cannabis Trials)

Segment Analysis

With regards to the medical marijuana market, neurological disorders tend to lead in terms of market generation and market share. The use of medical cannabis for neurological disorders includes such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. The efficacy of cannabinoids on symptoms like seizures, muscle spasticity, and tremors has generated significant interest and attention to this segment of the market.

The oil and capsule segment maintains market leadership in the medical marijuana market for a few primary reasons. Most importantly, oils (also known as tinctures) can be dosed accurately and easily adjusted, making them especially popular for patients seeking continual and precise intake. Similarly, capsules are convenient, discreet, and can be dosed accurately. Both oils and capsules, equally important, can be stored for a long time when compared to other forms, adding to their specialty. Finally, oils and capsules tend to have precise dosing protocols supported by a broad range of medical research, which persuades patients to choose them over other forms of medical cannabis.

Regional Analysis

The North American medical marijuana market is enjoying considerable prosperity and continued expansion in a legalization and acceptance environment. The United States is currently experiencing rapid market expansion due to a surge of states legalizing medical marijuana and, in some cases, recreational use, which continues to foster the industry. As an illustrative example, Kentucky received nearly 5,000 applications for medical marijuana licenses, a sign of great interest in the medical marijuana industry.

Canada is a great example of a well-developed market, with clear rules that have set up a strong base for the industry to grow. Critical factors supporting market expansion include medical benefits of cannabis awareness, a growing patient pool considering cannabis treatment alternatives for their conditions, and Authoritative Medical Cannabis & Cannabis-based treatment clinical validation.

Additional factors driving expansion into this market include continuous innovation and research supporting alternative and improved treatment products that already exist. With a positive regulatory environment and increasing integration into mainstream healthcare, the North American medical marijuana market is ready for sustained transformation and growth.

Competitive Landscape

The medical cannabis industry is extremely competitive, consisting of a mixture of large, vertically integrated companies and small niche companies. The major players include Tilray, Canopy Growth, Aphria, and Curaleaf, who operate with substantial capabilities in the areas of cultivation, processing, and distribution. The rapid growth in this market is attributed to increased legalization, acceptance of medical cannabis, and studies of its potential therapeutic value. However, this market also faces barriers that include regulatory hurdles, limited access to capital, and intense competition.

In addition to the major players, several small, niche players are developing in areas like medically-infused products, medical research, and patient education. The competitive landscape in this industry is constantly changing as regulations are shifting and new companies are entering into the space.

Medical Marijuana Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In Sept 2024, AYR Wellness received conditional approval to set up vertical medical cannabis operations in Virginia.
• In June 2024, Cylo Cybin emerged as the first medical cannabis company to achieve official listing on a South African Stock Exchange. This development represents a considerable shift in the medical cannabis market in the region.

Report Coverage:

Product Type

• Oil & Capsules
• Flower
• Vape & Patch Topicals
• Other

Application

• Neurological Conditions
• Mental Health
• Pain & Appetite
• Digestive Issues
• Cancer
• Other

Source

• Synthetic
• Natural

Derivatives

• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabicyclol (CBL)
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Cannabinol (CBN)

Treatment Type

• Aphrodisiac
• Expectorant
• Psychedelic
• Analgesic
• Antiviral
• Others

Route of Administration

• Oral Solutions and Capsules
• Smoking
• Vaporizers
• Topicals
• Others

Distribution Channel

• B2B
• B2C

End User

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Research and Development Centers
• Homecare Setting
• Hospital
• Rehab Centers

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Finland
• Netherland
• Poland
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Aurora Cannabis
• Aphria Inc.
• BOL Pharma
• Canopy Growth Corporation
• Cardiol Therapeutics
• Celadon Pharmaceuticals Plc.
• Enveric Biosciences
• GW Pharmaceuticals plc
• Insys Therapeutics Inc.
• Maricann Group, Inc.
• MGC Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Medical Marijuana Inc.
• MedReleaf Corporation
• MIRA Pharmaceuticals
• Pascal Biosciences
• Realize Therapeutics
• Tikun Olam, Ltd.
• Tilray

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)