What Do Patients Actually Think About Medical Cannabis? A Review of 40 Qualitative Studies | Research

The takeaway

Across 40 qualitative studies, patients generally report positive experiences with medical cannabis but face persistent barriers including stigma, high costs, and a gap between their experiences and the medical community's cautious stance.

Medical cannabis patients, healthcare providers, and anyone interested in patient perspectives on cannabis medicine.

40 qualitative studies reveal a persistent patient-provider experience gap

What the researchers found

Three major themes emerged: patients described therapeutic potential and tolerability across various conditions, used diverse administration methods tailored to individual needs, but faced significant barriers including stigma, high costs, and bureaucratic delays. Patients often viewed prescription cannabis as superior to conventional medicines, though safety concerns persisted.

Why it matters

Most cannabis research focuses on clinical outcomes, missing the lived experience of patients. This review captures the patient perspective at scale, revealing a consistent gap between generally positive patient experiences and the medical community's cautious approach.

The numbers in context

849 records screened, 40 included. Key barriers: stigma, high costs, bureaucratic delays. Key facilitators: healthcare provider support, family support, peer communities.

How the study worked

Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic search of EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. From 849 records, 40 met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified key themes.

What this study cannot tell us

Scoping review captures breadth but not depth of individual study quality. Qualitative research reflects subjective experiences. Publication bias may favor positive narratives. Geographic and cultural variation.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: broad scoping review with systematic search, but synthesizing subjective qualitative data.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

The gap between patient experience and medical caution creates a challenging dynamic. Patients who find cannabis helpful may lose trust in providers who dismiss their experiences, potentially leading to self-medication without medical guidance.

Questions still open

How can the gap between patient experience and medical caution be bridged?
What role should patient-reported outcomes play in cannabis policy decisions?
Do patients' positive perceptions reflect actual clinical benefit or placebo effects?

Common questions

What do patients think about medical cannabis?

Across 40 qualitative studies, patients generally report positive experiences with therapeutic benefits and tolerability. Many view it as superior to conventional treatments, though safety concerns remain.

What are the biggest barriers to using medical cannabis?

Patients consistently report stigma, high costs, and bureaucratic delays as major barriers. Support from healthcare providers, family, and peer communities can help overcome these obstacles.

Read the original research

Patient experiences and perspectives regarding medicinal cannabis: a qualitative scoping review.

Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Rosenbæk, Frederik; Nielsen, Jesper Bo; Pedersen, Line Bjørnskov; Stewart-Ferrer, Sif Schmidt; Søndergaard, Jens; Williams, Jessica Joan; Hvidt, Elisabeth Assing. (2025). Patient experiences and perspectives regarding medicinal cannabis: a qualitative scoping review.. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2025-0233