A Modern Beginner’s Guide to UK Cannabis Culture in 2025.

Cannabis culture in the UK since the post-war period has evolved into more than just a subtle act of rebellion in the bedrooms of university halls and back alleys of Camden. For many, it has become a social language, a form of self-expression, a lifestyle. In our previous blog we explored a brief history of cannabis culture in the UK. Today, we’re going further. 

We will discuss the current trends and shifts, British smoking rites of passages, methods of smoking, key players in the scene, activism, and what the future holds for UK stoners. Whether you’re curious, a newcomer or an enthusiast who wants to learn more, here’s @thehigheststreet’s beginner’s breakdown of the UK’s cannabis culture in 2025.

First, I think it’s appropriate to begin with a summary of the stereotypical ‘British stoner’. This is easy. Forget all stereotypes or prejudices you may picture in your head when thinking of one. Today’s British stoners are students, creatives, tech bros, parents, pensioners, young/old professionals, white, brown, black, green, purple.

I’ve done all the boring research, sifting through Parliamentary Select Committee reports, UK Drug Policy Commission reviews and Office for National Statistics analyses, to arrive at the same conclusion every time. There is overwhelming evidence to support the high, pun intended, demographic and geographical diversity of cannabis use in the UK. British stoners are now as abundant and diverse as the cities they live in. Today, weed isn’t just about getting high; it’s a tool to wind down, enhance creativity, manage anxiety and pain, or spark new social connections. Social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Twitter (X) propelled the UK’s weed scene into the mainstream. Cannabis culture became somewhat embedded within various subcultures, like the gaming, skating, drill, grime, rap and even the health wellness scene. But we will touch upon these influences again in a minute. 

For now, let’s discuss the current trends and shifts in the UK weed scene, and let’s begin with some classic rites of passage. When we were younger, weed was undoubtedly a taboo subject for most. For me, it seemed slightly scary. Cannabis in the UK has been classified and re-classified as a Class B drug for almost my entire life, except the years 2004 to 2009, when it was temporarily downgraded to Class C. In every film I watched, the stoners were portrayed as shady, underground and lazy figures. In school there were constant reminders and special presentations that, in my opinion, were heavily over-embellished and warned of the dangers of smoking weed. I am by no means arguing that this form of harm preventative education is inherently a bad thing. However, all this negative imagery successfully painted a hyperbolically evil and intimidating picture of weed in my head. But importantly, this did not stop me and many else from experimenting. And that leads me on to the ‘first time’.

Let’s be honest. For many, the first time was a chaotic amalgamation of the fear of getting caught, excitement of finding out what ‘getting high’ felt like, wondering if all those scary presentations in school were true, and praying we wouldn’t turn into the next ‘greening out’ story. But let’s talk about the weed and process itself. It was in a baggy of course, and likely some awful, pesticide-laden, terp-less shit, humbly grown in someone’s attic, under-weighed, then bagged up by matey down the road, finally purchased by a timid you, and your slightly ‘more experienced’ friend. Your mate who could somewhat roll took charge with either their dirty bong, or petrol station Clipper, plastic grinder that had half the teeth missing, Rizla Silvers or the Classic RAWs. If he/she wasn’t available, you would have the choice of attempting your first roll yourself or stuffing those pre-rolled cones to within an inch of their life. After the first few hits of inhaling wrong, coughing your lungs out and wondering when the high will kick in, the laughter smacks you and your friends out of nowhere. And then the munchies. It was incredible. These laughter-filled nights are ones that most stoners will never forget. You felt cool, rebellious and free, until it was time to come home with red flares as eyes, drenched in your finest and strongest aftershave you had stuffed in your bag, yet still profusely ponging of Super Silver Haze everywhere you went. The words ‘do I look high’ must’ve been uttered by 98% of UK stoners – based on real scientific anecdotal evidence. I suppose the criminalisation and illegality of smoking weed created this desire to keep things lowkey and discreet. Its classification as a Class B drug and associated legal implications forced most users to remain slightly paranoid.

However, there has been a clear, observable shift in the normalisation of cannabis in British society over the last 10 years. Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018 – undoubtedly a HUGE step forward. According to an article by The Times, most British teenagers today do not even consider weed to be a ‘drug’ in the traditional sense. Furthermore, a 2025 YouGov poll reported that 55% of British adults support cannabis reform, whilst 80% of Generation Z support legalisation. I personally find that 80% figure to be staggering, considering how polarised and divisive domestic and international politics has been in recent years. This growing acceptance is reflected in events like the annual 4/20 London Hyde Park gathering. It is these societal and legislative developments, combined with the continuation of cultural events like 4/20 that give me hope for the future of the British cannabis scene. 

To wrap up on this brief summary of current shifts and trends, let’s explore some popular methods of consumption, starting with the weed itself again. The cannabis black market in the UK is huge, estimated to be worth around £2.5 billion annually (Statista, 2025). £2.5 billion! Although I would bet a lot of bud that the real figure is a lot higher.

Nevertheless, the modern British stoner has a wide array of options to smoke, vape, dab or eat. The general quality of cannabis in the UK has also been improving, whilst the average THC content has been steadily rising. The cost-effectiveness/ease-of-use and growth of postal networks, combined with the availability of encrypted messaging services and a consumer who is increasingly demanding a better product, have allowed black market dealers to expand their operations massively. Genuine California-grown weed is relatively easy to find, though expensive, whilst fakes and imitations are common. There is a growing demand amongst British stoners for better, healthier grown weed and more and more THC. The wider impacts of this are debated – just not by me and not in this blog. We can leave the research to scientists and decision to consume to one’s freedoms of personal autonomy.

Moving swiftly onwards, concentrates, like hash oil, shatter and wax containing high THC levels ranging from 40-90%, have become increasingly prevalent in the UK black market. Hash itself has also grown in popularity amongst British stoners. Nowadays, there is a diverse range of modern solvent-less hash products, that are made by isolating the juicy trichomes, allowing for much greater consistency and purity of cannabinoids/terpenes compared to smoking flower or traditional hash production methods. There’s dry sift hash, bubble hash, full melt, full spectrum, Piatella, rosin, butane hash oil (BHO, badder/budder, crumble and probably many more that I can’t remember or don’t know about. British stoners use a wide range of methods to consume concentrates, from creating ‘doughnut’ joints or newly popular electronic dab rigs, to £1000+ hand-made glass setups.

As this is a beginner’s guide, it is only right to discuss UK plugs, not the socket type. Many British dealers have evolved over the years. It is now common to find massive menus posted on questionably encrypted messaging platforms, with low, middle and high-quality US, UK, Spanish, Dutch and Thai flower, concentrates, edibles and even handy 4K visuals to help you make the right decision. It did seem too good to be true. This system is gradually collapsing as messaging platforms crack down on cannabis-related activity. However, dealers continue to employ social media to advertise their products, build connections and expand their network. Which leads me onto some personal thoughts. Imagine if weed became legalised in the UK. The entrepreneurial qualities that some of these local dealers clearly possess is almost funny to witness. Operating secret grows, connecting with US-based companies, landing packs every day, marketing their product all whilst evading authorities – today’s British dealers do not play around, particularly in big cities where there is a huge, growing demand for higher-quality products. Of course, it is still common to find lower-level dealers that have been operating the same traditional way for years. A simple SMS, one or two things on the menu, no pictures, no packs. Simple.

Now for British growers. Growers in the UK have been pushing out high-quality product that is just getting better and better. Their product, at more competitive prices than US-grown weed and arguably, smoking nicer than some US weed that has inevitably been vacuum packed, squashed, then flown 1000s of miles, are causing a disturbance in the UK’s ‘top-shelf’ market. Talented British growers have truly been working their magic behind the scenes and will be a force to be reckoned with.

The UK cannabis scene is clearly evolving rapidly. To finish off this section nicely, let’s discuss some more general British cannabis trends, like the extremely common mixing of tobacco and weed. Many in the UK still smoke with ‘chip’ or ‘baccy’, whatever you’d like to call it – 77% of British users in fact, compared to 8% of US users, put tobacco in their joints, according to data from the ‘Global Drug Survey’ (Ian Hamilton, 2017). Those that do, cite that it gives them a different, more intense high and allows them to make their weed ‘last longer’, by using smaller amounts for each joint and making it up with the tobacco. A study conducted by UCL’s Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit found that it is a myth that mixing tobacco and weed makes you more stoned, it is purely a placebo effect. But more interestingly, they found that test subjects that did smoke mixed joints, had better short-term memory retention than those that didn’t (Hindocha, 2017). So, take from that what you will. Another key tendency of some British smokers is to ‘backstrap’ or ‘backroll’ our joints, where one can minimise the amount of paper, allowing for a slower, more even and tastier smoke.

Time to learn about some key players in the UK cannabis scene. This is going to be a difficult section to report on as, in 2025, there are now just so many people advocating, influencing and creating canna-content in the UK. It is no longer just underground rappers and sandal-wearing hippies discussing cannabis.

Let’s begin with, in my opinion, the loudest voice there has been for UK cannabis advocacy – Black the Ripper. Black unfortunately passed away in 2020, a huge loss for the British cannabis scene, but not without leaving an unshakeable impact. Before his untimely death, Black became renowned for his unapologetically open public cannabis use, challenging prohibition laws through his stunts, music and co-owned brand, Dank of England (DOE). Whilst this blog is not a music-focused one, I cannot duly move on without paying homage to a truly talented musician whose songs encompassed a mix of unique artistry with an ‘old-school’ sound we do not hear often today, outspoken activism, entrepreneurship and constant provocation to push cannabis into mainstream British discussions. He smoked weed on the London Eye, the Underground, in supermarkets and Parliament Square, appeared in interviews, podcasts, documentaries and infused his music with messages about systemic injustice, provoking conversation and growing the DOE brand. Co-founder ScreechTree and partner, Iron Barz, keeps Black’s legacy burning. DOE is growing into a globally recognised cannabis brand, with the cultivation of some classic strains, like their Britscotti, and expansion into the legal social club and medical markets.

A list of UK cannabis advocates would not be complete without mentioning Big Narstie. Another prominent figure in the British weed scene who, alongside his significant contributions to Grime music and TV, has also entered the medical industry. Narstie is known for attending 4/20 London Hyde Park and is always more than willing to greet fans, take pictures and discuss anything cannabis. Additionally, from North-west London, Nines has infused his incredible discography with weed references. Nines’ music often reflects street life, portraying weed as part of his environment growing up. Songs such as ‘Flavours’, ‘Weedman’, and ‘Tony Soprano 2’, alongside his brand ‘Crop Circle’ exemplify how his music and image has pushed cannabis into mainstream British discussion. Furthermore, since he was young, talented rapper Chip has been incorporating weed into his image and music. Examples of songs include ‘Sparko’, ‘Marijuana’, and ‘0420’, a tribute to Black the Ripper. Hailing from the streets of Toxteth, Liverpool, rapper Aystar frequently references cannabis, with notable tracks like ‘86’oz’, ‘Wats Apenin’, and even a feature with Cookies founder Berner - ‘Get it in’. Whilst on the topic of Cookies and Berner, Manchester rapper Tunde, is my final pick. He’s built solid US connections, releasing a joint EP with Berner called ‘They Land Better in Manchester’. Tunde and Berner’s joint projects, musical, extra-curricular activities or otherwise, serve as a cultural bridge between the UK and US cannabis scenes. Before we move onto the world of influencers and micro-influencers, my personal honourable mentions include Professor Green, Potter Payper, Giggs, Skye Newman and M Dot R. Yes, Skye Newman and M Dot R. Upcoming artist Skye Newman has a unique, catchy style, incredible voice and above all, an authentic love for weed. Evidently a true stoner, she features weed in most of her promotional material and in her music videos. With an ever-growing voice, talent and influence, Skye will be one to watch in the future. Furthermore, M Dot R has a deep, genuine love and appreciation for Jamaican culture, Dancehall music, and of course, cannabis. He attends 4/20 Hyde Park, happily greets fans, and has almost 900k TikTok followers, as of writing – an undeniable voice in the UK scene. 

Now for the influencers. Our homegrown Drewissharing has become one of the most powerful and popular voices in the cannabis world. Statistically speaking, I believe he is now THE biggest cannabis content creator in the world. When you have a following as geographically diverse and as large as Drew’s, your word holds weight. An influencer in the true sense of the word, Drew has been creating content on YouTube since he was 12 years old (Uncle Kush, 2024). Now, he gets tens of millions of views a month and travels the world to find bud to review across his many channels. He has recently moved from the UK to Thailand, explaining his reasons for doing so in a YouTube video to his nearly 1 million subscribers – and who can blame him. He currently engages with supporters through daily live streams and continues to produce high-quality cannabis content across various platforms.

In 2013, Callie Blackwell turned to cannabis to alleviate her son, Deryn’s, cancer symptoms. He was given just days to live, until Callie decided to use cannabis oil, initially aiming to ease his pain, when within days, his condition began to improve, defying medical expectations. Today, Deryn is healthy and well. She continues to be a vocal advocate for cannabis, appears on television programmes, wrote a book detailing their journey and created a CBD brand - ‘The Activist CBD’.

To finish off this section, let’s quickly discuss how the accessibility of social media has sparked a recent rise of hundreds of micro-influencers in the British weed scene. It would be impossible to mention them all but, this new wave of reviewers, content creators and streamers is slowly reshaping the cannabis world. Now, anyone can create content with a determined mindset, some consistency and quality videos. Medical reviewers, black market reviewers, weed/travel content creators, OnlyFans models, bored students, mums and dads. Everyone wants a piece of the pie.

It should be mentioned that UK Cannabis Clubs from various regions across the UK, mostly catering to medical patients, have also gained notable followings on social media. A London-centric approach towards cannabis culture in the UK can no longer be taken – content creators and social clubs from across the country have been entering the weed scene. Secret, underground cannabis events are frequently held across the UK, with competitions held within, where British growers can showcase their best.

So, let’s conclude. The UK cannabis culture in 2025 is strong and only growing. It’s no longer in the shadows – it’s on the streets, it’s online, it’s becoming an embedded part of British culture for many sections of society. Underreported figures continue to distort the true size of the UK’s cannabis scene. The future of cannabis in the UK, to me at least, seems bright. The diversity of cannabis, grassroots advocacy, growing public support for legalisation, and a booming potential for cannabis-focused entrepreneurship, has pushed the culture into the mainstream conversation. Whether you’re in the creative industry, construction, tech, hospitality, or a student, weed means different things to different people. For some it is a sleep remedy, a painkiller, a social glue or a creative tool. Cannabis in the UK cuts directly across class lines, cultural backgrounds and careers, and will continue to do so as usage and conversations persist, as the thriving industry grows, and as long as people want to keep getting high!

@thehigheststreet