Scottish Borders Enters UK Medicinal Cannabis Market with £250m Opportunity

Breathe Life Sciences (BLS) will establish its first Scottish manufacturing and distribution facility in the Scottish Borders, creating 36 skilled jobs initially, with plans to expand to 100 roles within three years. The new site will manufacture patient-ready cannabis-based medicines for UK and international markets, supported by an £848,250 investment and local government backing.

Strengthening Life Sciences Footprint in the Borders
The facility marks a significant step in positioning the Scottish Borders as an emerging life sciences and innovation hub. Backed by South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council, the investment is expected to attract further inward investment and specialist talent. BLS’s leadership has strong regional ties, reinforcing local commitment to long-term economic growth.

Riding Rapid Growth in Medicinal Cannabis Demand
The UK medicinal cannabis market reached an estimated £250 million in 2025, serving around 80,000 active patients, with forecasts suggesting patient numbers could exceed 190,000 by 2029. BLS aims to capitalize on this growth by producing regulated, quality-assured medicines domestically, supporting supply resilience, and expanding Scotland’s role in the global cannabis medicines industry.