Why are Manx residents being asked about medicinal cannabis?
February 5, 2026
Why are we being asked about medicinal cannabis?
ReutersResearchers are asking Manx residents to share their views on medicinal cannabis.
Public Health Isle of Man wants to understand the scale of its use and how it is being used following change to legislation, as well as hearing people’s attitudes towards illicit drugs and alcohol.
Currently, cannabis based products for medicinal use can be obtained on private prescriptions, however, they cannot be accessed through the NHS and there are no GPs able to prescribe it.
Feedback, submitted anonymously, will form the findings of a report about the landscape of substance use on the island.
What is medicinal cannabis used for?
Although the decision lies with the prescriber, the drug can be considered as a potential treatment option for patients who have tried to take other medicines to alleviate their symptoms and it has not worked.
It can can be used for conditions like chronic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression.
Some people take it to help with cancer-related appetite loss, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.
When was medicinal cannabis introduced?
In early 2023, a pilot was launched which enabled medicinal cannabis to be licensed and dispensed at Karson’s pharmacy in Onchan in limited circumstances.
In July 2024, that was extended to allow other pharmacies on the island to apply for a licence to dispense medicinal cannabis.
A change to legislation under the Misuse of Drugs Act has meant that patients can now be given the product after obtaining prescriptions from private clinics in England.
Why are views being sought?
Matt Tyrer, director of Public Health Isle of Man, said survey results would give a “solid research-base on medicinal cannabis use since the legislation changed”.
Answers would “help to inform us of patterns in society of substance use and better understand the experience of medicinal cannabis,” he said.
Participants will be asked about health and wellbeing, views and experiences of illicit drug-use as well as medicinal cannabis use, alcohol use and driving behaviour while under the influence of cannabis-based products.
The data, being collected by Liverpool John Moores University, will be compared with previous studies, such as the Isle of Man Substance Use Survey 2022 and the Medicinal Cannabis Consultation Findings.
Users of Medicinal Cannabis will also be asked if they can participate in follow-up phone interviews.
Researchers will make recommendations which will help inform policy development on the island, Tyrer said.
The survey, which launched this week, will run until 18 March.
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