Britain’s first investment firm dedicated to funding medical cannabis ventures will float in London today, amid a global "green rush" of investment into products made from the widely-banned weed.

Sativa Investments has raised £1.1m through the IPO on the capital’s Nex exchange, which is also used by Arsenal football club. The fundraising values Sativa at £4m.

The vehicle has been founded by serial entrepreneur Geremy Thomas, who has made millions through ventures in the early days of mobile phone technology and consumer finance.

Mr Thomas told The Daily Telegraph the fund would enable UK investors to capitalise on the “massive growth potential” of medical cannabis – despite the products being all-but banned in Britain.

“This is the most exciting area I’ve invested in so far because of the scale of the opportunity and the benefit it delivers for people,” Mr Thomas said.

“It has been held back for too long because of political bias rooted in the drug wars of the Seventies. But public opinion has swung against this.”