A cross-sectional survey of Dutch self-medicating cannabis users confirmed most rely on non-prescribed sources despite one of the world's oldest medical cannabis programs, citing cost and product access barriers.
medical cannabis program evaluators, Dutch health policymakers, international program designers
What the researchers found
Most people using cannabis medicinally in the Netherlands continue to rely on non-prescribed sources. The survey documented patterns of use, motivations, perceived effectiveness, and barriers to accessing the prescribed system, quantifying the qualitative findings from companion research.
Why it matters
This quantitative companion to the qualitative Dutch study (RTHC-07732) provides numbers to support the finding that medical cannabis programs can fail to serve their intended population when structural barriers remain unaddressed.
The numbers in context
Survey conducted January-April 2023. Netherlands context. Convenience sample. Assessed use patterns, motives, perceived effectiveness, and access barriers.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional online survey conducted January-April 2023 using convenience sampling of individuals self-medicating with non-prescribed cannabis in the Netherlands.
What this study cannot tell us
Convenience sampling limits representativeness. Self-selected participants likely biased toward those with barriers to formal access. Cross-sectional design. Online survey may miss populations without internet access.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional survey providing quantitative data to complement qualitative findings, but convenience sampling limits to moderate.
When this study was published
Survey conducted January-April 2023 in the Netherlands.
The bigger picture
Together with the qualitative companion study, this research provides a comprehensive picture of why one of the world's longest-running medical cannabis programs still fails to reach most of its potential users.
Questions still open
- What proportion of Dutch medical cannabis users have tried the prescribed system?
- Would specific policy changes increase prescribed cannabis uptake?
Common questions
How do Dutch people get medical cannabis?
Why is the Dutch system relevant to other countries?
Read the original research
Medicinal use of non-prescribed cannabis: a cross-sectional survey on patterns of use, motives for use, and treatment access in the Netherlands.
Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 6
Citation
Strada, Lisa; Korteling, Simone; Vergeer, Mark; Oomen, Pieter. (2025). Medicinal use of non-prescribed cannabis: a cross-sectional survey on patterns of use, motives for use, and treatment access in the Netherlands.. Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00355-y
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