Medicann survey shows over 70% reduction in heavy alcohol consumption among medicinal cannabis patients.

A patient survey conducted by Medicann in Guernsey has found a significant reduction in alcohol consumption among patients following the commencement of medical cannabis treatment, including a 74% reduction in heavy drinking levels. The survey collected responses from over 200 patients receiving treatment through Medicann’s Guernsey clinic and examined changes in alcohol use before and after being prescribed medical cannabis.

The results show a clear trend toward reduced alcohol consumption among patients who drank alcohol prior to treatment.

• 40.4% of respondents reported drinking less alcohol after beginning medical cannabis treatment.

• This compares with 23.8% reporting no change in alcohol use

• No respondents reported any increase in alcohol consumption

• 90 patients reported reducing their alcohol intake.

One of the most notable findings was a marked decline in heavy alcohol consumption:

• Before treatment, 42 patients were classified as heavy drinkers.

• After treatment, this figure fell to 11 patients

• This represents an approximate 74% reduction in heavy alcohol use.

Increase in non-drinkers

The number of patients reporting no alcohol consumption also increased substantially:

• 124 respondents reported not drinking alcohol after starting treatment, representing more than half of all participants

This shift suggests that many patients either significantly reduced or completely stopped alcohol consumption following the initiation of medical cannabis treatment. The reduction in heavy drinking and increase in abstinence may be relevant in the context of broader health and wellbeing considerations, including sleep, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

Dr Sunny Nayee, Medical Director at Medicann, said: “This Guernsey patient survey shows a consistent pattern of reduced alcohol consumption following the initiation of medical cannabis treatment. While these are self-reported outcomes rather than controlled clinical data, the reduction in heavy drinking and increase in abstinence is clinically noteworthy. It reinforces the need for further structured research into how medical cannabis may form part of broader harm-reduction approaches for some patients.”

The survey indicates a strong association between medical cannabis treatment and reduced alcohol consumption among patients in Guernsey, particularly in relation to heavy drinking behaviour.

Medicann is a multi-award-winning specialist medical cannabis clinic providing cannabis-based medicines for eligible patients in the Channel Islands Isle of Man and now the UK.

To become a patient, and check your eligibility, visit www.medicann.co.uk