A recently released UK medical cannabis survey report indicates patients are generally benefiting from prescribed products.

In what it claims was the largest ever survey of prescribed medical cannabis patients, Releaf UK gathered insights from 1,669 respondents across the UK.

First off it should be noted Releaf is a London-based medical cannabis online clinic, licensed to prescribe and dispense — so the firm has significant skin in the game. Releaf claims to have 100,000 patients on their books, a huge number given the company has only been around since 2022.

Moving on, the survey found:

• 97% of patients reported improved quality of life. 65% said “significantly”.
• 78% rated treatment as highly effective.
• 88% report no side effects.
• 91% would recommend medical cannabis to others.

The proportion of primary conditions being treated.

• 47.5%: chronic pain
• 31%: mental health condition
• 10%: neurological condition
• 6%: sleep disorder.

72% of patients who took the survey were treating/managing more than a single condition.

The least common condition types (both primary and secondary) were cancer related (1.4% and 1.3% respectively); followed by gastroenterological conditions (2.6% and 2.2%) and Women’s Health (1.6% and 2.4%).

Showing that the stigma of medical cannabis may be waning, 97% of those surveyed said they had told others that they use it. However, 20% said they had experienced stigma since becoming patient, indicating there’s more work to do there.

As for the types of medicines used, 90% had been prescribed flower, 50% oil and almost half vape cartridges.

In terms of driving habits, 51.4% avoid doing so if they’ve used their medication earlier the same day while 40% drive regularly as long as they feel unimpaired and safe.

The age spread of respondents:

• 56% aged between 35 and 54.
• Over 55: 25%
• Under 35: 19%

More key findings from the Releaf survey can be accessed here.

On a related note, November 1 marked seven years since the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK. Yesterday, we published an article on the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Medical Cannabis under Prescription report that stated the UK industry is still being held back by red tape and restrictive guidance, which is impacting both the industry and patients. The APPG has provided a number of recommendations for changing this.

A recently released UK medical cannabis survey report indicates patients are generally benefiting from prescribed products.

In what it claims was the largest ever survey of prescribed medical cannabis patients, Releaf UK gathered insights from 1,669 respondents across the UK.

First off it should be noted Releaf is a London-based medical cannabis online clinic, licensed to prescribe and dispense — so the firm has significant skin in the game. Releaf claims to have 100,000 patients on their books, a huge number given the company has only been around since 2022.

Moving on, the survey found:

• 97% of patients reported improved quality of life. 65% said “significantly”.
• 78% rated treatment as highly effective.
• 88% report no side effects.
• 91% would recommend medical cannabis to others.

The proportion of primary conditions being treated.

• 47.5%: chronic pain
• 31%: mental health condition
• 10%: neurological condition
• 6%: sleep disorder.

72% of patients who took the survey were treating/managing more than a single condition.

The least common condition types (both primary and secondary) were cancer related (1.4% and 1.3% respectively); followed by gastroenterological conditions (2.6% and 2.2%) and Women’s Health (1.6% and 2.4%).

Showing that the stigma of medical cannabis may be waning, 97% of those surveyed said they had told others that they use it. However, 20% said they had experienced stigma since becoming patient, indicating there’s more work to do there.

As for the types of medicines used, 90% had been prescribed flower, 50% oil and almost half vape cartridges.

In terms of driving habits, 51.4% avoid doing so if they’ve used their medication earlier the same day while 40% drive regularly as long as they feel unimpaired and safe.

The age spread of respondents:

• 56% aged between 35 and 54.
• Over 55: 25%
• Under 35: 19%

More key findings from the Releaf survey can be accessed here.

On a related note, November 1 marked seven years since the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK. Yesterday, we published an article on the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Medical Cannabis under Prescription report that stated the UK industry is still being held back by red tape and restrictive guidance, which is impacting both the industry and patients. The APPG has provided a number of recommendations for changing this.