Eight in 10 patients prefer prescriptions to illicit cannabis
Almost eight in 10 patients (79%) say they prefer prescription cannabis medicines to illicit cannabis (21%), according to new research from the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC).
Patients were also asked whether they preferred prescription or illicit cannabis based upon a range of factors, including cost, quality, product range, reliability of supply, medical effectiveness, fear of criminal sanction, and customer service. Prescription cannabis fared better on every metric, aside from quality of product where illicit cannabis was slightly ahead.
Additionally, patients were also asked whether they had any medical issues or side effects from the use of prescription and illicit cannabis. One in four respondents (25%) said they did so from illicit cannabis, while just 14% of patients said they reported issues from prescription cannabis.
CIC Prescription Working Group Co-Chair Sonal Patel said:
“These findings from the Cannabis Industry Council show that patients say prescription cannabis is safer, more affordable, and more effective than illicit cannabis.
“As we mark Medical Cannabis Awareness Week, we hope to see more patients benefiting from the potential of prescription cannabis, which is available in private clinics for treating any condition.”
Additionally, prescription patients were asked about who they faced the most discrimination from across society. The highest levels of issues and discrimination they encountered came from family members (46%), followed by event spaces/venues (41%) and neighbours / housemates (35%).
Around one in four patients (24%) said they had faced issues or discrimination from the police. Over two in three respondents (67%) provided their prescription if stopped by the authorities while in possession of cannabis, considerably more than those who said they carried cards (12%).
CIC Research & Science Working Group Chair Dr Shanna Marrinan added:
“It is clear that discrimination and stigma against medical cannabis patients persists across society. It is alarming that patients faced the most difficulty from those close to them, including family members, housemates, and friends.
“While it is welcome that discrimination was lower among the police and other public bodies, there remains plenty to do to in terms of raising awareness and reducing stigma.”
The CIC surveyed 235 patients between 1 November and 4 December 2023. The report, prepared by Dr Shanna Marrinan and Anna Harren, can be viewed here – https://www.cicouncil.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/11/FINAL_CIC24_07-Yes-We-Can_v3.pdf.
