According to a 2019 study, around 1.4 million adults in the UK are illegally using cannabis to self-treat chronic physical and mental health conditions. This study examines the prevalence of this behavior after cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs) become available through specialized clinics. The aim of the study was to assess the extent of illegal cannabis consumption for medically diagnosed conditions after the introduction of clinics that can prescribe legal CBMPs.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted via YouGov between 22 and 29 September 2022. Participants were asked about their medical diagnoses, illicit cannabis use, costs of purchasing illicit cannabis per month, and basic demographic data. The study included 10,965 responses, which were weighted to represent the adult population in the United Kingdom.
Result
- Of the 10,965 respondents, 5,700 (51.98%) reported having a chronic health condition, of which anxiety was the most common (14.48%).
- 364 (6.38%) of these used illegal cannabis to treat their conditions, corresponding to an estimated population of 1,770,627 individuals in the United Kingdom.
- Those most likely to use illicit cannabis for medical reasons were people with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, other mental health conditions, men, younger people, London residents, the unemployed or part-time workers.
The study highlights the high prevalence of illicit cannabis use for health reasons in the UK and the barriers to obtaining legally prescribed CBMPs. It underlines the need to develop harm reduction policies to transition from illegal use to legal CBMPs. In addition, the need for additional funding for randomized controlled trials and the use of novel methods to determine the effectiveness of CBMP in common chronic conditions is emphasized.
It is crucial to reduce the barriers that prevent patients from obtaining legally prescribed CBMPs, especially given the potential risks of contaminated illicit cannabis and self-medication without clinical supervision. Furthermore, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of CBMPs and their usefulness in the treatment of chronic health conditions.
To improve access to CBMP, it is proposed that national health services (NHS) provide these medications and raise awareness of their legal status. Furthermore, more randomized controlled trials should be conducted to investigate the cost-effectiveness of CBMP and reduce the stigma associated with medical cannabis.
Legal medical cannabis in the UK?
In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed by specialist doctors since November 2018. These products are often used when traditional treatments have not provided sufficient relief. To obtain medical cannabis, the patient must undergo a thorough medical assessment and meet specific criteria. Common conditions treated with cannabis-based medications include chronic pain, anxiety, and multiple sclerosis. Despite the availability of legal medical cannabis, there are still barriers such as costs and limited awareness among doctors and patients.