Recognised for Innovation, Quality, Education and Leadership in Medical Cannabis
Curaleaf Laboratories is proud to announce that we have been awarded Cannabis Team of the Year at the Business of Cannabis Awards, recognising our commitment to innovation, pharmaceutical excellence and leadership within the UK medical cannabis industry.
This award reflects the dedication, expertise and passion of the entire Curaleaf Laboratories team from scientists and laboratory technicians to quality specialists, operational leaders, customer services teams and commercial staff all working together to advance safe, accessible and pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis in the UK.
As part of Curaleaf International, Curaleaf Laboratories combines the strength of a global cannabis organisation with more than a decade of pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise in the UK. Long before medical cannabis became legal in the UK, our facility operated as an unlicensed medicines (“specials”) manufacturer, embedding robust quality systems, patient-focused care and regulatory excellence into every aspect of the business.
Today, those same principles continue to define our approach to cannabis-based medicines.
Setting the Standard for Medical Cannabis in the UK
Winning Cannabis Team of the Year reflects Curaleaf Laboratories’ position as one of the UK’s leading EU-GMP medical cannabis manufacturers and distributors.
Our team works collaboratively across every stage of laboratory operations, manufacturing, distribution and patient access to ensure all products meet the highest standards of:
- Safety
- Quality
- Compliance
- Consistency
- Patient care
This pharmaceutical-grade approach has helped build trust with healthcare professionals, patients, pharmacies and regulators across the UK healthcare system.
As the medical cannabis industry continues to evolve, Curaleaf Laboratories remains committed to raising standards and supporting the responsible growth of cannabis-based medicines.
Driving Innovation in Medical Cannabis Products
Innovation has played a major role in Curaleaf Laboratories winning Cannabis Team of the Year.
Over recent years, our team has delivered significant advancements in the development and validation of new medical cannabis dosage forms, helping expand treatment options for prescribers and patients across the UK.
Curaleaf Laboratories became the first manufacturer in the sector to produce:
- EU-GMP full-spectrum medical cannabis oils
- Medical cannabis pastilles
- Medical cannabis suppositories and pessaries
Most notably, the team launched the UK’s first medical-grade inhaler for medical cannabis, representing a major advancement in precision dosing, patient safety and accessibility.
This innovation reflects our commitment to developing clinically relevant cannabis-based medicines that align with healthcare standards while improving patient outcomes and choice.
Curaleaf Laboratories is also continuing to expand the future of medical cannabis through the development of novel dosage forms, increasing the range of prescription cannabis dosage options available to clinicians and patients.
Supporting Skilled Jobs and Industry Growth
Curaleaf Laboratories now employs over 200 people on-site across laboratory, quality assurance, commercial and customer service functions.
Working closely with Sunderland College and the University of Sunderland, the company is actively supporting the creation of highly skilled scientific and pharmaceutical jobs in the North East of England while helping raise awareness of medical cannabis as a rapidly growing healthcare sector within the UK.
This investment in people, skills and education reflects our long-term commitment to both the local community and the future of medical cannabis in Britain.
Leading Education in the Medical Cannabis Sector
Education remains a core part of the Curaleaf Laboratories mission.
The team works closely with respected organisations including:
- MCCS
- Chemist & Druggist
- Pulse
Through these partnerships, Curaleaf Laboratories delivers educational content, webinars, surveys, roundtables and clinical resources designed to support evidence-based prescribing and improve awareness of cannabis-based medicines among:
- GPs
- Pharmacists
- Prescribers
- Healthcare professionals
As gold education partner with MCCS, Curaleaf Laboratories continues helping recruit and educate new prescribers entering the medical cannabis space.
The company has also developed dedicated educational resources and learning room with Chemist & Druggist to support community pharmacies across the UK.
In partnership with Pulse, Curaleaf Laboratories has helped introduce medical cannabis to the wider GP market through surveys, expert roundtables and practical educational guides.
Increasing Awareness Through Healthcare Engagement
In 2025 alone, Curaleaf Laboratories attended more than 30 healthcare professional events across the UK.
These engagements have helped:
- Increase understanding of medical cannabis
- Address misconceptions
- Support safe prescribing practices
- Improve clinician confidence
Educational initiatives have also extended beyond traditional healthcare settings, including training sessions with police forces, hospitals, hospices and GP surgeries.
This collaborative and outward-facing approach continues to support the responsible integration of medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare.
Building Strong Global and UK Partnerships
Collaboration is central to the success of Curaleaf Laboratories.
The company works closely with:
- Cultivators
- Clinics
- Pharmacies
- Wholesalers
- Industry organisations
- International cannabis brands
These partnerships ensure a seamless supply chain from cultivation through to patient access while maintaining strict standards for quality, compliance and consistency.
Curaleaf Laboratories has also expanded its global partnerships significantly, increasing the number of medical cannabis products and strain profiles available to UK patients.
This includes bringing internationally recognised brands such as ANTG from Australia into the UK market.
Through partnership with Dalgety, Curaleaf Laboratories also established a fully EU-GMP medical cannabis supply chain within the UK, ensuring pharmaceutical-grade quality from seed to sale.
Delivering Industry-Leading Service Standards
Service excellence was another important factor in Curaleaf Laboratories winning Cannabis Team of the Year.
The organisation currently achieves a 99% next-day delivery rate for wholesale and pharmacy customers when orders are placed before 2:30pm.
Combined with extensive UK manufacturing capability and access to third-party supply, Curaleaf Laboratories offers healthcare professionals a true one-stop-shop solution for medical cannabis prescribing.
The company also maintains live stock availability systems, helping prescribers and pharmacies make informed decisions while improving patient access to medication.
As patient demand continues to grow, Curaleaf Laboratories continues expanding storage and operational capacity to support the future of the UK medical cannabis market.
A Team Culture Built Around People
Internally, Curaleaf Laboratories has built a workplace culture focused on collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Cross-functional teamwork encourages:
- Problem-solving
- Professional development
- Operational efficiency
- Scientific excellence
- Regulatory compliance
Employees are recognised regularly through initiatives such as Payday Funday, annual summer celebrations and company-wide events that reinforce the company’s appreciation for its people.
Alongside operational success, Curaleaf Laboratories also maintains a strong corporate social responsibility programme, supporting charities including:
- St Oswald’s Hospice
- Red Sky Foundation
The company also promotes sustainability and wellbeing initiatives, including educational lunch-and-learn sessions and environmental campaigns focused on reducing plastic waste.
Leadership Comments
Jonathan Hodgson, UK Managing Director at Curaleaf International
“To be recognised as Cannabis Team of the Year is a huge achievement for everyone at Curaleaf Laboratories. This award reflects the passion, professionalism and commitment of our entire team, who work tirelessly every day to improve patient access to high-quality cannabis-based medicines across the UK.”
“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it celebrates the people behind the progress. From manufacturing and quality assurance to commercial, logistics and patient support, every department has played a vital role in building a trusted and innovative medical cannabis operation.”
“We’ve always believed that collaboration, education and continuous innovation are key to advancing the industry responsibly. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved together and excited for what comes next.”
Richard Hodgson, Managing Director at Curaleaf Laboratories
“Winning Cannabis Team of the Year is a proud milestone for Curaleaf Laboratories and a reflection of the exceptional talent and dedication we have across the business. Our team has consistently focused on delivering quality, reliability and patient-centred care at every stage of the process.”
“When we founded the company prior to joining the Curaleaf group, our vision was to build a trusted healthcare-focused organisation capable of making a real difference to patients’ lives. This recognition highlights how far the team has come being part of Curaleaf International and reinforces our commitment to setting high standards for the UK medical cannabis industry”
“I’d like to thank every member of the Curaleaf Laboratories team, as well as our partners and healthcare professionals, for their continued support and belief in our mission.”
Winning Cannabis Team of the Year
Winning Cannabis Team of the Year at the Business of Cannabis Awards is a proud milestone for Curaleaf Laboratories and recognition of the incredible people behind the business.
The award reflects our continued commitment to:
- Pharmaceutical-grade quality
- Scientific innovation
- Education and awareness
- Patient-focused care
- Operational excellence
- Industry collaboration
As the UK medical cannabis industry continues to evolve, Curaleaf Laboratories remains committed to shaping the future of cannabis-based medicine through science, innovation and leadership.
We are proud of what our team has achieved and and even more excited about what comes next.
