Global investors have started eyeing the UK medical cannabis market as one of Europe’s most dynamic growth stories, drawn by its swift rise and promising longer-term prospects.
Aurora Cannabis Inc (TSE: ACB) (NASDAQ: ACB) (FRA: 21P) has now made the latest move into this space. On Aug. 19 the Canadian firm acquired Internode Pharma Limited, a licensed importer and wholesaler, and HAP Pharma Limited, a licensed virtual pharmacy based in Birmingham. Aurora paid £2.1 million in cash for 100 per cent of both companies through a wholly-owned subsidiary.
The deal gives Aurora direct ownership of an import and distribution facility plus a pharmacy operation, giving it control of the supply chain from cultivation through to patient delivery in a market that serves around 70 million people. The payment remains contingent on certain post-closing conditions. Aurora ideally expects the acquisition to support adjusted EBITDA in coming quarters through efficiency gains and less reliance on third-party distributors.
The UK medical cannabis sector continues to expand rapidly. NHS Business Services Authority Freedom of Information data, secured by analyst Prohibition Partners and examined in a recent Business of Cannabis report, show that private unlicensed cannabis items dispensed in English community pharmacies rose 154 per cent in 2025 to 1.7 million, up from 668,511 the previous year.
Home Office figures, also obtained by Prohibition Partners, record imports of unlicensed cannabis flower reaching 30,120 kilograms in 2025, roughly double the 2024 total. Canada supplied 57 per cent of the volume.
Interesting! $ACB making strategic move to help crack the fast-growing UK medical market. Fairly small investment (under US$3M) but indicative. Using ACB’s decent US$100M cash & equivalents war chest. Cash that could also help defend against a hostile?https://t.co/uUDjbjq5hO
— Cam Battley (@CamBattley) August 19, 2026
Read more: Aurora sees 22% surge on hostile takeover bid from Curaleaf
New UK assets may soon leave Aurora’s hands
Aurora’s UK investment arrives as Curaleaf Holdings Inc (TSE: CURA) (OTCMKTS: CURLF) presses a hostile takeover bid that could transfer those assets. Curaleaf has offered US$4.00 per Aurora share, made up of 0.3463 Curaleaf subordinate voting shares plus US$0.75 in cash, with a US$5.00 cap. The offer represents a 45 per cent premium to Aurora’s 30-day volume-weighted average price of US$2.75 as of Aug. 10.
Aurora’s board has formed a special committee of independent directors to review the proposal and has advised shareholders to take no action for now. The offer must stay open for at least 105 days. Aurora chief executive Miguel Martin has said Curaleaf aims to secure the firm’s EU-GMP facilities and medical platforms at the lowest possible price.
Curaleaf responded to Aurora’s statement to shareholders on X Wednesday, stating that Aurora’s reply “does not change the facts: billions written off, years of restructuring, bloated costs, and promises made with little to show for it.” The U.S firm argues its offer delivers a significant premium plus future upside in a larger combined company and continues to press the case that the takeover serves Aurora shareholders’ best interests.
Read more: Organigram sees record fiscal Q3 results from German firm takeover
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