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RNS Number : 7418G Releaf Dispensary Ltd 07 November 2025
Largest UK Active Medical Cannabis Patient Survey shows 97% improvement in quality of life
The Findings from Releaf, shows major improvements in pain, sleep and anxiety,
landmark UK study finds.
It has now been seven years since the legalisation of medical cannabis in the
UK, and a new comprehensive study of active patients reveals how it can
transform quality of life for many, while illustrating continued social
anxieties about its use.
The research, conducted by Releaf (http://www.releaf.co.uk) , the UK's
fastest-growing medical cannabis provider, presents a patient demographic that
challenges common preconceptions. The majority are middle-aged professionals,
with 56% aged between 35 and 54, working in sectors including technology,
healthcare, and financial services.
The survey of 1,669 patients
(https://releaf.co.uk/research/uk-medical-cannabis-patient-survey-2025-seven-years-since-legalisation)
, the largest of its kind ever completed in Britain, found that 97% reported
improved quality of life, with 88% experiencing no adverse effects from their
prescribed treatments. Yet despite these medical successes, patients continue
to navigate a complex landscape of stigma and legal uncertainty.
Tim Kirby, CEO of Releaf, said "In a world where 50M opioid prescriptions are
handed out to under 5M people each year and rising, it is not surprising that
alternative options, almost impossible to find in mainstream healthcare, are
being sought."
"Releaf is leading a new approach, placing exceptional healthcare outcomes at
the heart of all we do and writing over 100,000 prescriptions in a year to
date. As a result, unlocking new demographics' ability to experience quality
of life improvement through education, awareness and the healthcare and
governance oversight that has been lacking in the sector in the UK until now."
Among respondents, 67% reported improved work capacity, whilst 85% said
treatment enhanced their ability to perform daily tasks. For a patient
population where nearly half suffer from chronic pain conditions and a third
manage mental health issues, these improvements represent significant quality
of life changes.
The largest condition categories were as follows; chronic pain, mental health
and sleeping disorders. Key findings for these condition categories:
Chronic Pain
● 57% of respondents have chronic pain as a condition (primary or
secondary)
● 95% report treatment as effective
● 53% feel effectiveness within first day; 82% within first week
Mental Health
● 47% of respondents have mental health as a condition (primary or
secondary)
● 96% report treatment as effective
● 54% feel effectiveness within first day, 83% within first week
Sleeping Disorder
● 26% of respondents have sleeping disorder as a condition (primary or
secondary)
● 98% report treatment as effective
● 59% feel effectiveness within first day; 84% within first week
Kirby said " The UK medical cannabis market has been held back not by demand,
but by delivery. At Releaf, we're solving that with a scalable, safe, and
technology-led approach to care. We're committed to making real-world
evidence-based treatment accessible to the millions of patients let down by
conventional medicine, and we're doing it now, for 16,000 patients."
However, the social reality remains complicated. Despite medicine being
legally prescribed by qualified NHS doctors, only 20% of patients feel
completely confident using their medication in public. The survey found 45%
experience situational anxiety about public use, whilst 20% report
experiencing direct stigma since beginning treatment.
The survey also highlights critical gaps in legal awareness. Only 60% of
patients feel confident they understand driving laws related to medical
cannabis, despite 40% continuing to drive when feeling unimpaired. With just
5% ever having interactions with law enforcement about their medication, many
patients remain uncertain about their legal protections.
The findings come as the medical cannabis industry marks significant growth,
with Releaf alone now treating 16,000 patients. As Britain approaches nearly a
decade of legal medical cannabis, the survey paints a picture of a treatment
delivering genuine medical benefits whilst patients continue to navigate
outdated social attitudes and legality concerns.
ENDS
About Releaf
Launched in 2024, Releaf (https://releaf.com/) Dispensary Ltd the UK's
fastest-growing and most-trusted* medical cannabis clinic, serving patients
through its advanced healthtech platform. With over 40 specialist doctors and
over 120 employees, we deliver comprehensive cannabinoid care directly to
16,000 patients' homes through tailored treatment plans. Fully integrated with
NHS systems, Releaf has transformed access to medicinal cannabis treatment in
the UK and is now expanding internationally. *According to Trustpilot.
Press Contact:
Sophie Stephen
sophie.stephen@releaf.co.uk (mailto:sophie.stephen@releaf.co.uk) , Marketing
Manager (PR, Communications and Content)
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