Poland Boosts Medical Cannabis Imports as Demand Surges
Poland is making waves in the European medical cannabis industry, with demand skyrocketing since the market opened up in 2017. As the country depends on imports to meet this growing demand, regulators are now set to raise the import limit significantly, allowing over five additional tonnes of medical cannabis into the country.
Rising Demand Sparks Regulatory Changes
New documents reveal that Poland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (GIF) has almost doubled its estimate of annual cannabis demand for 2024, from 6 tonnes to over 11 tonnes. This shift comes as more patients and healthcare providers embrace medical cannabis treatments. In response, companies like Hemp&Health have already secured additional permits, allowing them to import hundreds of kilograms of cannabis to keep up with demand.
Rapid Growth in Sales and Patients
Between 2019 and 2023, Poland saw an extraordinary increase in both the number of medical cannabis patients and the amount of cannabis sold. Sales jumped from just over 26,000 grams in 2019 to nearly 2.6 million grams in 2023. The number of patients followed suit, soaring from around 1,700 in 2019 to over 90,000 in 2023.
This incredible growth reflects a broader shift in public opinion, with more people across the country recognizing the benefits of medical cannabis. The introduction of e-prescriptions has also made it easier for patients to access treatment, although this has sparked debates about potential overuse, leading the Polish government to consider new regulations for online prescriptions.
Navigating Supply Chain Issues
While Poland is expanding its import limits, the country’s supply chain still faces some challenges. Import permits are often underused, with businesses only fulfilling about half of the permits they receive. This has led to supply bottlenecks, preventing other companies from stepping in to meet the rising demand. As a result, the market faces artificial restrictions despite growing patient numbers and increasing acceptance of medical cannabis.
Companies looking to establish themselves in Poland’s fast-growing medical cannabis market will need to navigate these logistical hurdles while staying ahead of regulatory changes.
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