New research highlights the widespread confusion over medical cannabis in the UK.
UK adults remain confused about the legal status and availability of medical cannabis, despite it being legalised in 2018, and while four in every five (79%) know it exists, a quarter believe that it still cannot be prescribed for any health conditions in the UK.
According to a new study of 2,000 adults, only 26% of people know that medical cannabis can be prescribed for certain health conditions by both NHS and private healthcare professionals, and it is the older generation who is generally more savvy. The over-55s are the most likely to know that prescription can be written by both private and NHS specialist consultants (32%), compared to the 18–34-year-old age group where only 20% know this to be true, and it is the over-55s who are significantly more likely to be aware of medical cannabis (85%) compared to those under 35 years old (69%).
In fact, younger people appear to be the least knowledgeable about medical cannabis altogether: 31% say they have not heard of medical cannabis; 40% don’t know it has been available for prescription since 2018; and 33% aren’t aware that it can be prescribed for specific health conditions.
They are also most likely to believe false statements about medical cannabis. Almost one in 10 (9%) think medical cannabis is in fact illegal and therefore unregulated; while another 6% conversely believe that it can be purchased over the counter (OTC) without a prescription.
The research was commissioned by Wellford Medical Clinics, which legally prescribes for pain conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, and neuropathic pain conditions. The research was undertaken to assess people’s attitudes and perceptions of medical cannabis at time when it is frequently making the headlines for all of the wrong reasons.
Despite its legal status, access through the health service remains at a standstill even for the three conditions the NHS says it will consider prescribing for – epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and the side effects of chemotherapy – and despite promises of support for more evidence-based research and clinical trials, no progress has been made.
The findings reveal the urgent need for better public education on medical cannabis, its availability, and its legal status. Despite legalisation, awareness remains low and raises concerns about the number of eligible patients prevented from accessing alternative treatment when first line licenced therapies haven’t provided sufficient benefit.
Joshua Roberts, Chief Business Officer for Wellford is concerned to see so much lack of awareness and confusion over medical cannabis some seven years since the UK government legalised its use: “The net result is that there are patients suffering who shouldn’t be,” he says. “Most worrying of all is that even some patients who have one of three specific conditions, that the NHS will consider prescribing for, still believe medical cannabis cannot be prescribed for any health condition.”
The study found that over a quarter (28%*) of respondents who experienced symptoms of epilepsy or multiple sclerosis were not aware that medical cannabis could be prescribed. Similarly, 32%** of those struggling with chronic nausea or chemotherapy side effects did not know either.
Mike Morgan-Giles at the Cannabis Industry Council adds: “There are very few medical cannabis prescriptions on the NHS, despite more harmful medicines, such as opioids, being widely available. The vast majority of medical cannabis patients are instead prescribed via private clinics and pharmacies. The Cannabis Industry Council urges the Government to implement a reimbursement scheme for medical cannabis, thereby helping patients with the cost of their essential medication.”
* Percentage reflects respondents who selected either epilepsy / seizures or Multiple Sclerosis from a list of 16 potential long-term physical or mental health conditions.
** Percentage reflects respondents who selected either chronic nausea or chemotherapy side effects from a list of 16 potential long-term physical or mental health conditions”
