Use of Medical Cannabis on the Rise in the UK as Patients Report Effectiveness and Low Rate of Side Effects

Seven years after the legalization of medical cannabis in the UK, a survey by Releaf with 1,669 prescribed patients reveals that 97% report an improvement in their quality of life. Among them, 78% rated their treatment as "very" or "extremely effective".

An interesting fact: 88% of the respondents said they had not experienced any side effects since the beginning of the therapy. 

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Among the conditions treated, the most common are chronic pain (47.5%) and mental health problems (31.4%), and 72% of patients stated they use cannabis for more than one condition simultaneously. 

Challenges Persist: Stigma and Lack of Legal Clarity

Despite the therapeutic benefits, patients point out that they still face social prejudice and lack confidence to use the medication in public: only 25% feel completely comfortable, and 20% report situational anxiety or direct stigma. 

Understanding the laws regarding driving is also insufficient, with only 60% stating they have confidence in what can or cannot be done.

Notably, 22% of patients have misconceptions about the legal form of use: in the UK, the prescribed flower must be vaporized, not smoked.

Also noteworthy is the use of the Releaf "Medical Cannabis Card": 72% of patients say they always carry it, and 74% state that the document provides legal security when questioned by the police.