The Big Medical Cannabis Survey by Mamedica
Britain is at a turning point in attitudes towards medical cannabis, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by British cannabis clinic Mamedica.
The study (conducted with a sample of 4,000 people) found that, for the first time, most British people (60%) would consider medical cannabis over traditional medicine, and 89% would either consider it or be interested, if a doctor prescribed it.
But the survey (the largest of its kind conducted so far in Britain) also highlighted worrying gaps in knowledge about medical cannabis in the UK.
While the law has changed, it’s clear that there’s been a failure of communication.
The survey found that 84% of those surveyed are still completely unaware that cannabis ‘flower’ is available on prescription in Britain, and 59% not aware cannabis is available on prescription at all.
Since 2018, it has been legal to prescribe cannabis in Britain, although NHS prescriptions are still rare: Mamedica is a pioneering private medical cannabis clinic, helping dozens of British patients to secure prescriptions for conditions from chronic pain to anxiety.
Jon Robson, founder of Mamedica, says, “While the law has changed, it’s clear that there’s been a failure of communication.”
“There are millions of people in this country who could benefit from medical cannabis – and so far, many of them remain unaware that there is a safe, legal way to be prescribed a plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of chronic
conditions.”
The survey results highlighted that British people remain largely unaware of the legal changes surrounding cannabis, despite four years having passed since medical cannabis was legalised.
In November 2018, medical cannabis was legalised in the UK, with prescriptions for two children, Billy Caudwell and Alfie Dingley, who had experienced life-threatening seizures before being prescribed cannabis.
The policy came into effect on 1 November 2018, but since that point just three prescriptions have been made via the NHS.
Patients can secure private prescriptions via clinics such as Mamedica, after showing medical records that show they have a qualifying condition and that conventional medicine has not helped.
To see the full survey results, download our report here MAMEDICA The Big Cannabis Survey.