Cannabis Europa 2025 – Key Insights From Day 1

As London basked in one of the hottest days of the British summer so far, over 1,000 industry leaders converged at the Barbican Centre to kick off the final leg of European Cannabis Week 2025.

Despite being fresh off the plane from three days at the characteristically lively Mary Jane Berlin, the mood – much like the weather – remained bright and energetic as Cannabis Europa 2025 welcomed hundreds of the world’s leading cannabis voices for its first jam packed day of sessions.

From the outset, the focus of the conference centered on a new reality, that cannabis is no longer a fringe issue but an irrefutable part of the healthcare, policy, and financial mainstream across Europe and beyond.

Stephen Murphy, Co-Founder and CEO of Prohibition Partners, began the conference with a rallying call to the sector, acknowledging both the progress made and the pivotal figures, friends and colleagues we have lost.

“As professionals, scientists, advocates, and entrepreneurs, we are part of a growing movement. It hasn’t always been easy, the industry has stumbled, but it’s adapted and matured, and today stands stronger than ever. It’s an incredibly exciting place to be.

“This year feels a little different, we have lost one of our most courageous voices, Hannah Deacon, not just a leader but a friend to many of you here, who helped build and shape what cannabis, and cannabis access have become.

“Her absence is a powerful reminder that refusing to accept the status quo is what has driven this progress. As we move forward, it’s our responsibility, and our opportunity, to honour that legacy. None of us are here passively, we’re all here to drive change.”

Below, we’ve summarised the key insights from the vibrant and diverse discussions throughout Day 1 of Cannabis Europa 2025. If you’re keen to dive into the details, we’ll be exploring each session in more detail over the coming weeks.

Headline Keynote – PHCann International​

• Sasha Stefanski, CEO of the conference’s lead sponsor PHCann International, outlined the regulatory and market challenges facing the European cannabis industry, noting that while the sector is growing, it is not doing so equally across the continent.
• He called for harmonised, stable, and scalable European cannabis regulation, stating that PHCann has chosen the path of a unified, regulated, and equal market.
• 2024 and the start of 2025 have been major periods for the industry, but that investment remains fragmented.
• The ‘days of hype and overpromising are over’, and that cannabis is no longer a cause but a reality, the conversation has shifted from when to how cannabis should be integrated into wider society.
• The industry’s responsibility has evolved: it must now deliver not just products, but trust.
• Stefanski said that Europe can lead the world if it commits to a shared regulatory framework that enables products to move freely under one set of international rules.

The End of the Line – Ending Waiting Lists and Empowering European Cannabis Patients​

With more than 6.4 million people on NHS waiting lists, and many more uncounted, this session explored the real-world impact of delayed diagnoses for chronic conditions like pain, endometriosis, and PTSD. As traditional healthcare systems strain, patients are increasingly turning to medical cannabis.

Patient-led access and personal transformation​

• Pierre Van Weperen (MD, Grow Group plc) underscored how cannabis is essential for chronic pain management, without treatment, he says he’d be unable to function. He lamented NHS waiting list statistics (e.g., 7.4m→7.39m) that hide individual suffering and even deaths.
• Julie Durrans (Patient advocate, Kayaworks) shared her story: undiagnosed until menopause, once on 30 pharmaceutical treatments daily, now fully managing multiple conditions with medical cannabis. She no longer needs mobility aids and gained control over her life. Julie also stressed that legal options are not only safer than black-market products, but more affordable, but warned that PIP support payments, which may patient rely on, were under threat.

Clinical perspective: cautious optimism​

• Dr Sunny Nayee (Consultant in Pain Medicine, Integro) described shifting from bias to prescribing after witnessing success in patients. He emphasised that cannabis isn’t a cure-all, but in chronic pain cases it boosts overall quality of life.

Key barriers and systemic challenges​

• Stigma and misinformation continue to slow acceptance among GPs and pharma. Many patients, and even clinicians, are unaware that private prescriptions are legal.
• Lack of clarity and leadership: No dedicated UK agency for cannabis, excessive paperwork, and low institutional support hamper progress.
• Education gaps: Endocannabinoid system knowledge is minimal; financial constraints limit research into Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs).
• Strained NHS capacity: Specialty care for chronic conditions is deprioritised in the public system, pushing patients toward private clinics.

• Patient demand will drive regulatory reform, according to Pierre.

State of Play Session: Switzerland​

Switzerland is leading Europe’s most pragmatic experiment in adult-use cannabis, with pilot programmes already underway and a full federal legalisation bill expected by late summer. In this session, legal, regulatory, investment, and public health experts unpacked how the Swiss model works and where it’s headed.

Pilots grounded in public health — and working​

• Barbara Burri (Head of Strategy, Zurich Health Services) shared early results from Zuricann, which now includes over 2,500 participants and can expand to 3,000. She reported no major negative incidents, and stable physical and mental health outcomes across the group.
• Pilot sites, operated on a non-profit basis, are seen as key from a prevention and public health standpoint, Burri suggested and have strong support from both local authorities and law enforcement.

Legalisation in motion with a uniquely Swiss structure​

• Daniel Haymann (Attorney, MME Legal) explained that the adult-use legalisation process was delayed while pilot programmes generated data. A full federal legalisation bill is now expected by August/September 2025, entering a reconciliation phase with likely changes driven by strong industry and public health representation.
• Legal sales will be state-monopolised at the online level, with limited retail outlets operating on a not-for-profit basis. However, cultivation and manufacturing will be commercial and profit-driven.

Controlled experimentation with real-world data​

• Luc Richner (Co-Founder, Cannavigia) noted that Switzerland has created a ‘playground’ for regulatory experimentation, giving the industry a seat at the table and allowing for dynamic, evidence-led adjustments.
• Law enforcement is on board ‘police love this project’, Richner said — thanks to transparency, control, and traceability that make the programme defensible and manageable.

Key legal and commercial takeaways​

• No vertical integration will be allowed, creating legal and operational complexity.
• The Quebec-style model will be closely watched, one state-monopolised online retailer, combined with limited access points, and a separation of commercial production from non-profit distribution.
• Haymann emphasised that only a competitive, for-profit model can meaningfully undercut the black market.

State of Play Session: France​

With France’s medical cannabis pilot programme approaching a pivotal deadline, this session brought together legal, industry and policy voices to unpack the country’s distinct approach — and what’s next.

A pharmaceutical path​

• Marie Sanchez (Attorney, NOOA Avocats) made clear: in France, cannabis is either pharmaceutical or not at all. The current proposals don’t create a new cannabis framework, they integrate cannabis directly into existing pharmaceutical regulation, with all the associated licensing, documentation and compliance requirements.
• While that complexity deters some, Sanchez sees it as a sustainable model that could improve product consistency and shape future EU-wide regulation.

Opportunities, but high barriers to entry​

• Hugues Peribere (CEO, Overseed) said that cannabis will move from Schedule I to Schedule V, formally classifying it as a medicine. This will establish a strict pharmaceutical market, expensive and highly regulated, but with room for innovation and long-term credibility.
• Companies must be registered pharmaceutical entities, hold a narcotics import licence, and be ready for quality standards equivalent to any pharmaceutical product. This, the panel agreed, it is a ‘survival of the fittest’ scenario.

Patient pressure driving political will​

• Ludovic Rachou (Founder, UIVEC) noted that the only reason the pilot programme was extended was because of patient demand, a powerful signal that politicians are watching.
• Final approval hinges on an imminent evaluation by the French medical authority, during which patient feedback will be solicited. If the industry fails to submit compelling data and models now, reimbursement may be lost, and the opportunity could collapse.

• A final decision is expected by the end of 2025, but Rachou warned the coming weeks are critical: data submissions, business model development, and clear engagement with health authorities must happen immediately.

Long-term vision: harmonised EU regulation​

• Jeanroy Benjamin-Alexandre (CEO, Augur Associates) suggested that France’s specificity, and the agility it demands, could ultimately serve as a testing ground for global models.
• While the lack of flower products and rigid pharma structure may seem restrictive, the pilot’s evolution, strong patient advocacy, and emphasis on data-driven outcomes position France to become a blueprint for harmonised European medical cannabis regulation.

Prevention is the New Cure Podcast (LIVE episode) – Cannabis and the NHS: Will the UK Ever See Cannabis Readily and Easily Available?​

This live-recorded episode of the Prevention is the New Cure podcast brought together politicians, physicians, and patient advocates for a frank and wide-ranging discussion on why access to medical cannabis via the NHS remains extremely limited.

The gap between legislation and implementation​

• Steve Brine (Former Public Health Minister) reflected on his role in the 2018 legislative changes, but noted that decisions were driven by the Home Office, not the Department of Health, an early misstep that continues to shape access barriers.
• Dr Sarah Wollaston (Former Chair, Health Select Committee) raised concerns around product standardisation, especially for non-industry audiences unfamiliar with cannabis medicines.

Real-world evidence vs. the RCT gold standard​

• Matt Hughes (CEO, Medcan Family Foundation) shared his family’s experience with drug-resistant epilepsy, where cannabis reduced seizures from 120 a day to just 5.
• He argued that rigid RCT frameworks don’t suit cannabis due to individual variability in response, a point echoed by Tonia Antoniazzi, who stressed that parents are paying out of pocket for treatments while trials reach their conclusions.

Clinical caution and mental health concerns​

• Dr Diego Quattrone (Psychiatrist, King’s College London), who does not prescribe cannabis, voiced concern over the lack of clinical trial data showing efficacy, particularly for mental health conditions.
• He warned of THC-related side effects, especially in psychiatric settings, and said the current risk-benefit balance appears unfavourable in mental health care.

Political will and Whitehall hesitancy​

• MP Tonia Antoniazzi acknowledged progress but said Whitehall remains cautious, still viewing cannabis as a recreational drug rather than a therapeutic product.
• She praised the work of late campaigner Hannah Deacon, adding that public and political education is vital to break this cycle and that a unified, joined-up approach across government departments is urgently needed.

Systemic challenges — and what’s next​

• Calls were made for a dedicated UK cannabis research centre, with government funding and NHS collaboration.
• The panel emphasised the need to distinguish clearly between recreational and medical cannabis, with better communication, regulatory clarity, and cross-departmental policy coordination.

Antoniazzi also revealed plans for a patient access fund, driven by the needs of families currently shouldering unaffordable costs.

The post Cannabis Europa 2025 – Key Insights From Day 1 appeared first on Business of Cannabis.

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