Greek Patients See Potential in Medical Cannabis But Want Better Guidance | Research

The takeaway

In Greece, CBD-experienced patients reported benefits for pain, anxiety, and sleep but cited concerns about product quality and cost, while cannabis-naive patients expressed skepticism due to stigma but acknowledged potential therapeutic value.

Medical cannabis policymakers in emerging markets, European healthcare regulators, physicians preparing for medical cannabis introduction.

CBD users reported benefits for pain and sleep, but both groups wanted better physician guidance

What the researchers found

CBD-experienced patients (n=12) generally perceived cannabis-based treatments as beneficial for musculoskeletal pain, migraines, anxiety, stress, and sleep, despite concerns about product quality, cost, and limited medical guidance. Cannabis-naive participants (n=12) expressed skepticism due to stigma and perceived insufficient evidence but acknowledged potential therapeutic value within a regulated framework.

Why it matters

As Greece introduces medical cannabis, understanding patient attitudes and barriers is essential for effective implementation. The gap between experienced and naive patients highlights the role of direct experience in shaping opinions and the need for education to bridge information gaps.

The numbers in context

24 participants (12 CBD-experienced, 12 cannabis-naive); conditions managed: musculoskeletal pain, migraines, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances.

How the study worked

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 24 participants in Greece: 12 users of CBD-based formulations and 12 medical cannabis-naive individuals, examining market readiness for medical cannabis.

What this study cannot tell us

Small qualitative sample (n=24) from a single country. Self-selected participants may not represent broader patient populations. CBD-experienced group was using over-the-counter CBD formulations, not prescription medical cannabis. Cannot quantify the extent of reported benefits or concerns.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: Small qualitative study (n=24) from a single market; exploratory findings that provide direction for larger research.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

Greece joins a growing list of European countries navigating medical cannabis introduction. Patient perspectives from early-adopting markets can inform other countries preparing for similar policy changes, highlighting universal challenges of stigma, cost, and physician knowledge gaps.

Questions still open

How will patient attitudes shift as medical cannabis becomes more established in Greece? What training do Greek physicians need to effectively prescribe and counsel on medical cannabis? Will regulatory frameworks address the cost and quality concerns identified by patients?

Common questions

Is medical cannabis legal in Greece?

Greece has been in the process of introducing medical cannabis. This study examined patient perspectives as the market develops, finding both interest and barriers that need to be addressed for successful implementation.

What were the main barriers to medical cannabis acceptance?

For experienced users: product quality, cost, and limited medical guidance. For cannabis-naive patients: social stigma and perceived insufficient scientific evidence. Both groups emphasized the need for better physician training and clear regulatory guidelines.

Read the original research

Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives.

Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 12(2)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Ntais, Christos; Melanthiou, Yioula. (2025). Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives.. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines12020012