The European cannabis market in 2026: What to expect?

"The Future of Cannabis": Trends that will shape the European cannabis market in 2026

A growing segment in 2026: CBD and minor cannabinoids

CBD (cannabidiol) has become one of the most popular wellness products in Europe in recent years and is used by an estimated 25 million Europeans (2023) who seek it out for its therapeutic potential.

According to Market Data Forest, the European CBD market will reach a value of approximately €5 billion by 2024.

Further significant growth is expected. According to an analysis, the European CBD sector is expected to grow at a rate of over 20% per year (CAGR), which would mean a several-fold increase in sales volume over the next decade.

To give you an idea, projections indicate approximately €26 billion in 2033 if current trends continue.

Line graph showing the growth of the European CBD market from €5 billion in 2024 to an estimated €26 billion in 2033, with the CanaturaWholesale logo in the bottom right corner

In addition, consumer interest is expanding to other cannabinoids. Products containing minor cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, CBC and others, mostly in combination with CBD, are growing in popularity.

Minor cannabinoids are gaining attention for their specific effects. For example, CBN (cannabinol) has sedative properties, making it suitable for sleep disorders.

CBG (cannabigerol) is being researched for its possible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and is also becoming popular in cosmetic products for problem skin.

This opens up opportunities for innovative products and dietary supplements. The cannabis wellness trend is expected to grow in 2026 as public awareness of cannabinoids continues to increase.

CBD regulation in Europe: slow progress and different approaches in different countries

However, CBD regulation in Europe is still slow to catch up, and the market is characterised by fragmented rules.

The key issue is the Novel Food Regulation (EU Novel Food): the European Commission and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) require manufacturers to obtain novel food authorisation for edible CBD products.

CBD in food falls under the novel food category, but each specific CBD product or extract must have its own approved authorisation before it can be freely marketed.

In 2022, EFSA suspended the assessment of applications due to a lack of safety data, so as of 2025, no CBD product has received full approval in the EU, and therefore oils, capsules, beverages and other edibles are often sold in a "grey area".

Some countries take a more tolerant approach to the sale of CBD, while others enforce a strict interpretation. Overall, approaches vary significantly across Europe.

Overview of regulations in some European countries

The situation on the CBD market is changing and varies greatly from country to country:

  • Germany: Pure CBD is not listed in the annexes to the German Narcotics Act. CBD products are legal if they contain less than approximately 0.2% THC, but food or dietary supplement products are subject to the "novel food" regime.
  • Switzerland: Cannabis with less than 1% THC is not a narcotic substance; CBD products are legal.
  • Czech Republic: THC limit in industrial hemp is 1%, CBD market is tolerated.
  • Austria: CBD flowers permitted up to 0.3% THC.

  • Poland: CBD is not a controlled substance if it is obtained from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC.

  • Italy: On 12 April 2025, a new law came into force in Italy restricting the possession and sale of industrial hemp flowers and classifying them as narcotic substances.

  • Ireland: THC in CBD-containing food products may be considered a controlled substance.

  • Finland: A product containing CBD is considered a prescription medicine. Each product is assessed individually, and Fimea (The Finnish Medicines Agency) decides on the basis of an individual classification decision whether a given product should be considered a medicine.
  • Slovenia: There is no specific regulation in this area at the national level. The authorities consider that verifying the CBD content of products does not fall within their remit, with the exception of food (or food supplements), cosmetic products or products for medical use.

  • France: The court has lifted the ban on flowers, and products with low THC content are legal.
  • Malta: Maltese law permits the sale and use of CBD products if the THC content does not exceed 0.3%. However, the sale of CBD products requires a licence from the Maltese Medicines Authority, and all products must state the exact CBD and THC
  • Greece: Some sources state that the THC limit for CBD products is less than 0.2%. Products are likely to be in a "grey area".
  • Portugal: Sources state that CBD is "mostly legal" if it comes from industrial hemp and contains less than 0.2% THC.

Data is current as of: December 3, 2025

Illustration of cannabis regulation in Europe with scales of justice, law books, a gavel, and a word map of European countries symbolizing legal differences within the EU, with the CanaturaWholesale logo at the bottom right

Across Europe, the legislative status of CBD products can be summarised as follows:

  • Cosmetics: legal almost everywhere in Europe.
  • Edibles (oils, capsules, gummies and others): fall under "novel food" authorisation in the EU.
  • CBD flowers: controversial status, facing a ban in some countries.

Despite regulatory challenges, however, consumer interest in CBD continues to grow. In addition to pure CBD, full-spectrum extracts containing a wide range of cannabinoids are becoming increasingly popular.

Some consumers prefer full-spectrum products because of the so-called entourage effect. This is driving demand for the aforementioned minor cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG, etc., but manufacturers (for now) must balance this demand with the law.

The legal status of CBN and CBG is unclear (they are not explicitly listed on the lists of controlled narcotics).

It is expected that, with the development of scientific knowledge, some minor cannabinoids could pass the approval process (e.g. as dietary supplements for sleep, etc.), but in 2026 the situation will remain largely unchanged.

Development of the European medical cannabis market

The medical cannabis segment in Europe continues to grow rapidly. More and more countries are introducing or expanding programmes that allow patients access to medical cannabis on prescription.

Denmark, for example, has decided to convert its cannabis treatment pilot project into a permanent programme from 2025.

In the Czech Republic, 5,000 general practitioners will be able to prescribe cannabis from April 2025, which will significantly improve availability for patients and is likely to increase the number of people receiving treatment.

Even in Eastern Europe, there is a shift underway, with Ukraine planning to develop a regulated market for medical cannabis.

In June 2025, the country issued its first licence to import cannabis-based medicines. According to available information, the first medical cannabis products could appear in Ukrainian pharmacies next year.

Germany has seen an explosion in demand following the relaxation of legislation, making it the largest European market for medical cannabis. After the country removed cannabis from its list of narcotic substances in 2024, the volume of medical cannabis imports increased by more than 457% between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

In the second quarter of 2025 alone, over 43 tonnes of medical cannabis were imported into Germany (an amount that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago).

These statistics clearly show that once legislative barriers are removed, the number of patients and overall consumption in existing markets increases sharply.

From a business perspective, the European medical market is becoming very attractive.

According to a business estimate by Prohibition Partners, the value of medical cannabis sales in Europe could reach around €2.3 billion by 2026 (compared to an estimated €0.36 billion in 2022). This represents very dynamic market growth, with year-on-year increases in the tens of per cent.

The doctor points to a jar of medical cannabis wrapped in a stethoscope, symbolizing the development of medical cannabis, with the CanaturaWholesale logo at the bottom right

(Semi)synthetic cannabinoids and increasing pressure on regulation

Between 2022 and 2024, the European market was flooded with the phenomenon of so-called (semi)synthetic cannabinoids (HHC, THCP, THCB, THCJD and others).

However, since the end of 2023, European authorities have been responding to these compounds with decisive action. Between 2024 and 2025, virtually all EU Member States implemented a coordinated wave of bans and added these cannabinoids to their lists of controlled substances.

Europe is tightening the noose around (semi-)synthetic cannabinoids. Some coordination at the EU level is expected in 2026, which could result in a blanket ban on these substances across member states.

The reason for this is public health concerns, as there have been reports of adverse effects.

However, the unregulated market remains a problem –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ there are no systematic checks on the concentration or purity of the products sold.

Although new derivatives continue to appear that escape regulation for a time, legislation can respond fairly quickly and remove them from the market.

The market for (semi-)synthetic cannabinoids thus remains unstable and burdened by a high degree of legal uncertainty.

Market outlook for 2026

The European cannabis market as a whole (medical, recreational and wellness segments) will be characterised by rapid growth, professionalisation and significant diversification in 2026.

Although Europe still lags behind North America in terms of legal market size, with ongoing legalisation, the European market could grow to be worth billions and approach the size of the North American market.

According to the February 2025 report Cannabis in Europe by Prohibition Partners, focusing on Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain, Europe currently accounts for approximately 2.6% of global cannabis sales, but already 8% of the global medical cannabis market and 34% of the CBD market.

According to forecasts, Europe should also strengthen its share in the medical segment: it is expected to account for approximately 16% of global medical cannabis sales by 2028.

Analysts also point out that the potential target value of the global cannabis market (if it were fully legal worldwide) could reach up to €238 billion for medical and recreational purposes.

This means that current demand is largely untapped and waiting for new markets to open up. In this scenario, Europe is considered one of the key areas for future growth.

New challenges and opportunities

In conclusion, 2026 will be a period of rapid growth and fundamental change for the European cannabis industry.

Traders who are proactive, informed and adaptable can benefit greatly from these trends.

Whether it is entering newly legalised markets, expanding the range of innovative products or raising quality standards, the common denominator for success will be the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

In short, those who can combine entrepreneurial spirit with respect for regulations and customer needs will be the ones who define the future of this industry.

FAQ

1. Which cannabis products are most likely to be trending in 2026?

The trend will mainly be innovative forms (drinks and food), combinations of cannabinoids and herbal extracts (e.g. THCX Blue Lotus Flower, Blue Lotus Soft Resin Hash, and HCT Mullein Leaves + Gelato) or better application forms (e.g. water-soluble CBD for drinks, transdermal patches, etc.).

These innovations will be an opportunity for retailers to stand out in the market.

2. What changes will the Czech regulation of electronic cigarettes containing cannabinoids, effective from December 2025, bring?

In December 2025, an amendment to a decree by the Ministry of Health will come into effect, prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes containing cannabinoids and candy flavors.

The Ministry of Health has allowed seven months for stocks to be sold off, after which it will no longer be possible to place these products on the Czech market.

At the same time, the composition of e-liquids has also been tightened (ban on mineral and vegetable oils) and nicotine content labelling.

3. What business opportunities will the legalisation of domestic cannabis cultivation in the Czech Republic bring from January 2026?

  • Increased interest in seeds, cultivation techniques, media and equipment for home cultivation is expected.
  • Cultivation kits, safety features and home filtration solutions will form a growing segment.

4. What would the proposed federal regulation of cannabis and hemp derivatives in the US bring?

At the federal level in the US, a legislative proposal (HEMP Act 2025) and related measures to tighten the regulation of cannabis and industrial hemp products were introduced in June 2025. This is the largest planned intervention in the industry since the adoption of the Farm Bill in 2018.

What the bill and proposed regulations include (according to available sources):

  • Stricter definition of cannabis: Total THC, including THCA, is now assessed, not just delta-9 THC.
  • Proposed limit of 0.4 mg of "total THC" per product: If approved, this will end most so-called "low-THC" hemp products.
  • Intention to ban (semi-)synthetic cannabinoids
  • Strengthening the federal framework over state laws: Cannabis products are to be regulated consistently, regardless of whether the state in question has legalised recreational or medical use.
  • Closing legal loopholes: Molecules created by chemically modifying CBD are to be classified as illegal.

As of November 2025, the HEMP Act 2025 is still only a proposal.

At the same time, however, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026 (federal budget/government funding act) was passed in November 2025, which contains an amendment that changes the federal definition of "hemp" and tightens the regulation of "hemp-derived" products.

It is important to note that the adopted budget law is not the same as the HEMP Act 2025. The HEMP Act remains an unapproved bill, but some of its key elements have been effectively "inserted" into the budget law to pass more quickly.

5. What are the basic recommendations for traders in the cannabis market?

  • Do not rely on legislative loopholes. Regulations are tightening, and traders who build on solid and transparent foundations will secure a more secure and safer position.

  • Focus on regulated segments. High-quality CBD products, wellness categories, cosmetics, and legal treatment programmes in individual countries are particularly stable.

  • Monitor legislative developments in key regions.
  • Invest in quality and testing. Transparent COA, accurate dosing and purity are increasingly important for sales and exports.

  • Diversify your product range. It pays to expand your offering with different categories and innovative products, which will help you reach a wider group of customers and more easily withstand any market fluctuations.
  • Plan strategically. The European market is growing rapidly, but the fragmentation of regulations is challenging. It is advisable to have legal oversight, local partners and a flexible product range.
  • Build partnerships and a robust supply chain: Competition in the European cannabis market is intensifying, so it is necessary to focus on reliable sources of cannabis and distribution.

 

Sources:

 

Author:  Patricie Mikolášová 

 

   

Photo: AI

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