Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 3 October 2025

A Suffolk Woman’s Story: “Able to Live Life” After Medical Cannabis

A recent local report highlights a woman in Bury St Edmunds who says she can now “live life” thanks to her medical cannabis prescription. Although the details remain limited, her case reflects a recurring theme in patient communities: people often turn to cannabis when standard treatments fall short. 

Her story tells two realities: first, that patient experience often drives interest in medicinal cannabis; and second, that anecdote alone cannot replace robust clinical evidence. But carefully documented individual stories remain critical to shaping public understanding and informing compassionate access.

Cannabis in Cancer Care: Current Evidence and Challenges

An article in Oncology Times reviews the current state of medicinal cannabis use in oncology, emphasising both its potential and the barriers that remain. 

Medicinal cannabis is most commonly viewed by patients and clinicians as a complementary option to ease symptoms such as pain, nausea, loss of appetite and insomnia, rather than as a treatment for cancer itself. For many, it offers a degree of relief when conventional approaches have not been sufficient.

For clinics and patients, this reinforces the value of transparent communication, close collaboration with oncology teams and setting expectations when considering cannabis in a cancer care setting.

Sleep & Insomnia: New UK Study Adds Weight to Medicinal Cannabis Use

A UK observational study following 124 patients over 18 months has reported sustained improvements in sleep quality, alongside reductions in anxiety and better overall quality of life.

Patients also reported fewer pain symptoms and mood improvements. Adverse effects (such as fatigue or dry mouth) were noted in about 9 per cent of participants, but none were serious. 

This adds to evolving real-world evidence in the UK that suggests cannabis-based medicines (also known as CBPMs) may be a viable option for sleep disorders, especially when conventional treatments fail or carry unacceptable side effects.

This week’s stories highlight both the progress and the challenges within medicinal cannabis: the life-changing experiences of patients, the cautious yet evolving role of cannabis in cancer care and the growing body of evidence around sleep and wellbeing. As research deepens and awareness grows, the priority remains clear: ensuring patients can access safe, evidence-informed treatment while continuing to build trust, education and collaboration across healthcare.

If you’re considering whether medicinal cannabis could support your health and wellbeing, the first step is to check your eligibility. At Medicann, we make this process simple and confidential, whether you are based in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands.

Use our quick Eligibility Checker today and take the first step towards safe, specialist care with Medicann.

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.