Medicinal Cannabis Matters | Friday Roundup 28th March 2025
This week’s roundup brings you up to speed with the latest in medical cannabis. From awareness gaps in the UK to long-awaited policy shifts in France, growing clinical support and promising research into hypermobility treatment.
1 in 4 UK adults still unaware medical cannabis is legal
A recent survey found that 25% of UK adults still don’t realise that medical cannabis can be legally prescribed, despite it being available since 2018. Awareness is especially low among younger adults, many of whom remain unsure about who’s eligible or how to access it. This lack of understanding continues to be a major barrier – not just to treatment but to wider acceptance. The more people know about how and why medical cannabis is used, the easier it becomes to break down stigma and support informed choices. Read More
France launches national medical cannabis programme
After years of delays, France has finally unveiled it’s national medical cannabis blueprint. The new framework outlines a controlled prescribing model for conditions such as chronic pain, MS, epilepsy, chemotherapy-related side effects and palliative care. The rollout marks a long-awaited shift in policy and signals a growing European alignment around regulated, evidence-based cannabis treatment. With more patients now set to benefit, France joins a widening circle of countries rethinking how they approach plant-based medicine. Read More
Majority of UK doctors would prescribe, if NHS allowed it
A recent survey of practising UK doctors found that 84% would be open to prescribing medical cannabis for pain relief, if it were more accessible through the NHS. Many expressed concern over the ongoing reliance on strong opioids, with cannabis seen as a potentially safer, long-term option. The findings reflect a shift in clinical attitudes – but also underscore how policy can lag behind medical consensus. With clearer guidance and wider NHS support, more patients could receive the care their clinicians are already willing to provide. Read More
Medical cannabis shows promise for partients with hypermobility conditions
In an observational study tracking 161 patients over 18 months, researchers found that medical cannabis may help improve symptoms in people with hypermobility-related conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Participants reported reduced pain, better sleep and improvements in fatigue and anxiety. While further research is needed, the findings highlight cannabis-based treatment as a potentially valuable option for managing complex, hard-to-treat conditions. Read More
