Portugal is the world's second largest exporter of medicinal cannabis, exceeding 20 tonnes in 2024

Infarmed — National Authority for Medicines and Health Products IP recently published an update to the document on the evolution of medicinal cannabis activity, making it clear that Portugal is the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe and the second largest worldwide, surpassed only by Canada. By the 3rd quarter of this year, Portugal had already exported 18.521 kg of medicinal cannabis (plant, preparations and substances), but this figure could still rise to 25 tonnes by the end of 2024. The main destination countries for cannabis produced in Portugal are Germany, Spain, Poland and the United Kingdom. However, despite the increase in ACMs, the number of prescriptions for preparations and substances in Portugal fell, with patients purchasing only 757 units from pharmacies.

This year, Portugal broke another record for the export of medicinal cannabis, consolidating its position as one of the largest producers and exporters in the world. In 2023, 11.973 kg were exported, a figure that was already largely surpassed in 2024 with 18.521 kg – and the year is not over yet.

However, while there is a lot of cannabis leaving Portugal, the same cannot be said domestically: the number of prescriptions to patients fell from 1157 in 2023 to 757 by the 3rd quarter of 2024, a drop of around 33%. Applications for ACM – Authorisation to Place on the Market for new preparations or substances subject to prescription also continue to be very low, leaving Portuguese patients with the same access problem as always.

In terms of companies, the number also continued to increase in 2024. There are now 37 companies licensed for cannabis cultivation, 23 for manufacturing, 47 for import and export and 13 for distribution. It should be noted that several companies hold different types of licenses, and the previous numbers are not isolated cases for each activity.

In addition to these, it should be noted that there are even more companies in the decision-making phase and awaiting inspection by Infarmed to obtain the final license: 94 for cultivation, 39 for processing, 100 for import and export and 20 for distribution — not counting the 125 companies that are in phase 2, that is, with the documentary aptitude to continue their implementation in Portugal.

CannaReporter® will soon publish a new map with a list of all companies already licensed by Infarmed for activities related to medicinal cannabis.

In the meantime, you can consult the full Infarmed report on the evolution of medicinal cannabis activity in Portugal up to the 3rd quarter of 2024 here:
Medicinal Cannabis - Evolution of activity

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Laura Ramos

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With a degree in Journalism from the University of Coimbra, Laura Ramos has a postgraduate degree in Photography and has been a Journalist since 1998. Winner of the Business of Cannabis Awards in the category "Journalist of the Year 2024", Laura was a correspondent for Jornal de Notícias in Rome, Italy, and Press Officer in the Office of the Minister of Education of the 21st Portuguese Government. She has an international certification in Permaculture (PDC) and created the street-art photography archive “Say What? Lisbon” @saywhatlisbon. Co-founder and Editor of CannaReporter® and coordinator of PTMC - Portugal Medical Cannabis, Laura directed the documentary “Pacientes” and was part of the steering group of the first Postgraduate Course in GxP's for Medicinal Cannabis in Portugal, in partnership with the Military Laboratory and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.

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