Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 26 September 2025

Welcome to this week’s round-up of the latest news in medicinal cannabis. From workplace rights to patient voices and new clinical evidence, today’s update highlights the progress being made and the challenges still facing our community.

Workers’ Rights and Medical Cannabis: Unions’ Emerging Role

This week, Cannabis Health News highlighted the challenges patients face when prescribed cannabis-based medicines in the workplace. 

Many union representatives are still unfamiliar with the legal and clinical frameworks for CBPMs, leaving patients vulnerable when it comes to issues like workplace drug testing, stigma and the lack of formal company policies.

One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea that detecting THC automatically proves impairment. In reality, this overlooks how treatment is managed and how cannabinoids are processed by the body. The article suggests clinics can play an important role here, working with HR teams and unions to provide education, medical context and documentation that helps patients feel supported and protected at work.

Patients should not have to choose between effective treatment and employment security. As the field of medical cannabis matures, there is an urgent need for workplace protections rooted in evidence rather than perception. 

Patient Voices: Montel Williams on MS, Stigma and Medical Cannabis

US television personality Montel Williams, now 69, has spoken honestly about the role medical cannabis has played in managing his multiple sclerosis. In a recent interview, Williams explained that cannabis had “given me my life back” and continues to form a central part of his treatment. You can read more here.

Williams’ account is both deeply personal and sharply political. He describes how, beyond symptom relief, one of the greatest hurdles remains stigma: ingrained attitudes that continue to frame cannabis use as illicit, regardless of clinical context. His advocacy now focuses on reshaping these narratives, ensuring that patients are not undermined by prejudice when they seek the treatment that works for them.

Insomnia and Sleep Quality: Evidence from a UK Study

A newly published study has added weight to the growing body of evidence supporting cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of insomnia. Over 120 patients were followed for up to 18 months, with results showing marked improvements in sleep quality, anxiety and overall quality of life.

The study found that patients experienced sustained improvements in sleep quality, alongside reduced anxiety and better quality of life in areas such as pain and mood. Fewer than 10% reported side effects, none of which were serious. 

Looking Ahead: Priorities for Clinics and Patients

It’s clear that guidance is needed to help employers and unions distinguish legal medical use from recreational cannabis, and clinics can support this through documentation and patient advocacy. Amplifying patient voices, as seen with figures like Montel Williams, helps challenge stigma and humanise the conversation around treatment. Collecting real-world data, monitoring outcomes and sharing insights further strengthens the evidence base, while broader education for employers, policymakers and the public remains essential to remove barriers and ensure patients can access care safely and confidently.

If you’re curious about whether medicinal cannabis could make a difference to your sleep, anxiety or overall wellbeing, the first step is to check your eligibility. Medicann makes this straightforward, whether you’re in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands, use our Eligibility Checker in two minutes today to see if you qualify.

Disclaimer: This blog post and the following featured articles are for information only and any articles on external platforms may be amended at any time. Articles that we refer to in our weekly roundup do not reflect the views of Medicann.