Why are different cannabis cultivars different prices?

Breaking down the factors that affect UK medical cannabis cultivar prices

Cultivation

Growing medical-grade cannabis is not easy, and not cheap.

Here in the UK, it is an expensive and highly regulated process. Medical cannabis cultivation facilities must adhere to stringent regulations, which are put in place to ensure the quality, consistency, and safety of the final product.

Then, there are the costs of the actual cultivation process itself. Indoor grow facilities are expensive endeavours, requiring specialised equipment and high-energy usage. To comply with regulations, these facilities need to be fully secured and monitored, with 24/7 surveillance, also adding to overheads.

And that's before mentioning the fact that different cultivars require different growing conditions. Growing more than one cultivar at one time can be a logistical challenge, requiring different nutrient solutions, lighting schedules, and environmental controls for each strain - all of which result in varying maintenance costs. 

Labour

The cultivation of medical cannabis also requires a significant amount of labour. From planting and general plant care to harvesting, trimming, and packaging, there are many hands involved in bringing high-quality medical cannabis to market.

And with the regulations surrounding medical cannabis production, highly skilled and trained labour is necessary, adding to the overall cost of production.

Logistics

Once the medical cannabis has been harvested and processed, it needs to be transported to pharmacies. This process comes with its own set of expenses, including transportation costs, packaging materials, and compliance with strict regulations.

The overwhelming majority of medical cannabis flower available to UK patients is grown overseas, only adding to these costs. We have recently partnered with Glass Pharms® to help overcome the logistics issues and reduce costs, while also securing a consistent supply of high-quality UK-grown medical cannabis for our patients. More on this in the next section.

Quality and potency

The quality and potency of a cultivar can also play a significant role in its price point.

Some cultivars require more attention, resources, and specialised techniques or grow areas to produce the desired potency and quality. These extra efforts add to the final cost.

Regulatory compliance and lab testing

Medical cannabis production is heavily regulated, with strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety and consistency of the product. This includes extensive lab testing for potency, contaminants, and purity. These tests can be expensive, adding to the overall cost of production.

How Releaf and Glass Pharms® are working to bring affordable, UK-grown medical cannabis options to patients

Up until June 2024, all dried medical cannabis flower options available to all UK patients were grown overseas.

This not only increased the price of medical cannabis in the UK, but it also made it difficult to ensure the same level of quality and consistency as domestically grown options, creating market-wide issues surrounding consistent supply and additional logistical and regulatory hurdles.

Last month, we announced our ongoing partnership with Glass Pharms®. This first of its kind partnership allows us to offer our patients access to UK-grown medical cannabis available unlike ever before. And, with our supply now secure and consistent, we can work towards bringing down the overall cost of medical cannabis for our patients.

How much does medical cannabis cost with Releaf?

If you are signed up as a 'Pay As You Go' patient, medical cannabis flower options start at £9.99 per gram.

We also offer a subscription membership that reduces the cost of all areas of medical cannabis treatment, not just the medication itself.

For £39.99 a month, the Releaf+ subscription covers all fees for:

• Follow-up consultations
• Prescriptions
• Dispensing
• Deliveries

Relef+ members also pay less for medical cannabis flower, starting at just £7.99 per gram. All of our UK-grown Glass Pharms® cultivars are £7.99 per gram for Releaf+ members.

How much does a Releaf+ membership save you compared to paying as a 'Pay As You Go' patient?

Releaf+ members save up to 20% a year based on a monthly prescription of 30g of medical cannabis flower.

The wrap-up

At Releaf, we are continuously working towards providing our patients with affordable options that do not compromise on quality or consistency. Our partnership with Glass Pharms® is just one example of our ongoing commitment to improving the UK medical cannabis landscape for our patients.

If you would like to learn a little more about medical cannabis and how it might be able to support your condition, head over to our education centre and blog.

We also have a fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes less than a minute to complete and will let you know if you qualify for a medical cannabis prescription.