Denmark: Medical Cannabis Market Overview 2025

Denmark continues to serve as one of Europe’s most advanced and export-oriented medical cannabis markets, with a framework that balances pharmaceutical oversight and commercial opportunity.

The estimated medical cannabis market size for 2025 is valued at over €3.5 million, with projections indicating growth to €XXX million by 2029 (Prohibition Partners Market Sizing Forecasts, 2025–2029).

Since the launch of its four-year pilot programme in 2018, Denmark has allowed doctors to prescribe unauthorised cannabis-based medicines within a controlled framework that includes cultivation, manufacturing, import, and export licensing. Initially set to expire in 2021, the programme was extended twice and now continues until December 2025.

In November 2024, the Danish government confirmed plans to make the pilot permanent, establishing a long-term regulatory framework for domestic production, pharmaceutical exports, and clinical prescribing.

Denmark has evolved into a major European production hub, supplying both EU and international markets. In 2024, Denmark exported over 7 tonnes of medical cannabis to Germany, ranking among the top global exporters after Canada and Portugal.

The Danish Medicines Agency (DMA) regulates all medical cannabis activities, including licensing, inspection, and product approvals. The pilot programme introduced a safe, legal route for medical cannabis prescribing, helping to reduce illicit use and enhance patient safety.

Key regulatory components include:

By enabling controlled production and export, Denmark has become a model for balancing economic opportunity with pharmaceutical-grade compliance in the cannabis sector.s.oice.ed by the European Medicines Agency, such as Sativex, which remains available under a restricted prescription pathway.

Who Can Prescribe? All licensed physicians in Denmark can prescribe medical cannabis under the pilot programme. There are no specialist restrictions, though prescription rates remain moderate due to clinical conservatism and product cost.

Approved Indications:

Reimbursement:

The reimbursement model has helped maintain affordability for high-need patients while limiting overprescription.

The Danish market currently features a limited but structured portfolio of flowers and extracts available under the pilot programme.

Flower Products (5 total)

Extract Products (6 total)

The extract segment has grown steadily as Danish manufacturers prioritise pharmaceutical formulations for both domestic and export markets.

Imports:

Exports: Denmark has become a leading exporter of EU-GMP-certified cannabis products.

The combination of reliable regulatory oversight, quality control, and favourable climate for controlled cultivation has positioned Denmark as a key global supplier of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis.

As of March 2025, Denmark has a diverse and mature cultivation base, with 17 licensed operators across primary and intermediate product categories.

Bulk & Primary Product Licence Holders (2025):

Intermediate Product Manufacturers:

These companies collectively form the backbone of Denmark’s export-driven production ecosystem, supplying high-quality medical cannabis to international partners and ensuring continuous domestic availability.

Denmark’s decision to make its medical cannabis pilot permanent marks a transition from experimentation to long-term industry stability. With a growing export profile and strong regulatory foundations, the country is set to remain a European leader in production and pharmaceutical supply.

Future growth will depend on continued investment in innovation, product diversification, and clinical integration, particularly as the government formalises the permanent framework post-2025.

Denmark exemplifies a mature, compliant, and export-oriented model for medical cannabis—one that continues to influence regulatory design across the European Union.

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