For the Culture By The Culture. ISSN: 3064-9331.
Portugal exported 66,305 kilograms of medical cannabis in the first half of 2026, yet domestic access still depends on strict prescriptions, limited indications, and unreimbursed preparations. Pot Culture Magazine examines INFARMED’s export data, patient-cost evidence, and the access gap inside one of Europe’s biggest medical cannabis supply hubs.
The United Kingdom legalized medical cannabis in 2018, but most patients still cannot access it through the NHS. Private clinics filled the gap, creating a two-tier system where legal medicine exists, but access depends on money, specialist approval, narrow guidance, and a regulatory structure now facing sharper scrutiny.
The UK's cannabis laws are increasingly seen as outdated and ineffective as public support for legalization grows. With an underground market worth £3.57 billion, many Britons defy restrictive regulations. Despite the 2018 legalization of medical cannabis, access remains limited. Advocates urge reform, emphasizing economic benefits and a shifting cultural landscape.
Japan is cracking down on recreational cannabis use with prison sentences of up to seven years, while allowing medical cannabis for the first time. This major shift reflects both growing concerns over youth drug abuse and the international pressure to legalize medical marijuana