After seven years of legalization, British patients report benefits of medical cannabis

Seven years after the legalization of medical cannabis in the United Kingdom, a survey of 1,669 active patients shows that 97% reported an improvement in quality of life after starting treatment. 

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The data is part of the UK Medical Cannabis Patient Survey 2025, conducted by the Releaf clinic, the largest study ever conducted in the country with prescribed cannabis users.
 

Of the total, 65.8% classified the improvement as significant, while 31% reported mild improvement. The research also indicates that 47.5% mainly use cannabis to treat chronic pain, followed by mental health conditions (31%) and sleep disorders (24%). In addition, 72% stated they treat more than one condition simultaneously.

Impact on daily life and work

The benefits of the treatment are reflected in daily routines: 85% of patients said they perform better in daily activities, and 67% reported improvement in their ability to work or study. Regarding safety, 88% stated they did not experience relevant side effects, and 91% said they would recommend medical cannabis to other eligible individuals.

Despite the progress, 20% of the respondents reported experiencing stigma since the beginning of treatment. Only 20% feel completely confident to use the medication outside their homes, while 45% say it depends on the situation, and 28% express concerns when administering the medication in public.