MPs show greater support for medical cannabis than the British public

MPs vs public support for medical cannabis 

In late January, YouGov published a survey comparing the perspectives of Members of Parliament (MPs) and the British public on various drug policies, with a particular focus on cannabis. The general public and MPs were asked a series of questions about their views on different approaches to drug policy. 

While 39% of MPs said they were in favour of full cannabis legalisation, 50% were opposed. However, when asked about support for medical cannabis, with 83% of MPs said they supported the prescription of medical cannabis in the UK. 

This was surprisingly higher than the percentage of the general public, who thought doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis for medical use (73%), with twice as many of the public opposed (14%) as MPs.

What’s behind the strong MP support for medical cannabis?

It’s not often that MPs are ahead of the curve when it comes to public opinion, but the majority appear to recognise the value of medical cannabis. This could be down to a number of different factors.

Engaging with advocates and experts 

As part of their role, MPs often meet and engage with experts, advocates and campaign groups, who can share insights and crucial information around medical cannabis.

On the anniversary of the law change (1 November) MPs are usually invited to a number of events aimed at raising awareness. Since this legislation was introduced there has been regular debates in the House of Commons around issues such as NHS access and potential benefits for the economy. While these debates don’t always result in the desired outcomes, they can ensure that the majority of MPs have some level of understanding of the medicinal use of cannabis and related issues.

Patient stories 

Some MPs have been more heavily involved in campaigning for medical cannabis and have had contact with patients in their constituency who rely on medical cannabis to manage conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Personal stories can have a powerful impact, making it harder to ignore the real-life benefits of cannabis treatment.

Global trends

Seeing the introduction of medical cannabis programmes in other countries— and the adoption of more liberal cannabis policies in general— may encourage MPs to support similar initiatives in the UK.

A growing number of counties across Europe have successfully integrated medical cannabis into their healthcare systems. Germany in particular has generated a lot of interest in the international media since it introduced the CanG Act last year, with reports that this has contributed to a huge increase in prescriptions. 

MPs who follow these international developments and stay up to date with global medical cannabis news, may recognise the potential health benefits and economic opportunities for the UK. 

Why is public support lagging behind?

While 73% of public support is still a strong majority, it’s interesting that it falls behind MP approval. Why is that?

Lack of awareness

Many people are still not aware how medical cannabis works, what conditions it can treat, or how tightly regulated it is in the UK. This knowledge gap could be preventing even higher levels of support.

A survey conducted by Releaf in 2023 found that less than 1% of patients that could potentially benefit from medicinal cannabis are currently accessing it. While 83.7% of respondents were aware cannabis could be used to relieve a range of health conditions, more than half (58.5%) were unsure of its legal status.

Stigma

Despite growing acceptance, cannabis still carries the stigma of having long been associated with recreational use and illegal activity. This stigma can be hard to shift and some people struggle to separate the medicinal benefits from these deep-rooted negative stereotypes. As a result they may be cautious about endorsing its use, even for medicinal purposes. 

Potential impacts on future policy

The strong support among MPs is certainly promising for the future of medical cannabis policy in the UK. 

Labour recently dashed hopes for wider NHS access in a debate on 31 January. But if more MPs are willing to get behind it, we could finally see action being taken to allow more people to benefit from a medical cannabis prescription, without unnecessary barriers.

MPs and policymakers are also recognising the importance of investing in clinical trials to build the evidence base for the safety and efficacy of cannabis-based medicines and last year the NHS announced the first RCTs investigating cannabinoids in treatment-resistant epilepsy, while NHS Scotland is funding a trial into their use in complex pain conditions.  

Wider political support could lead to public funding for medical cannabis research to understand more about how this treatment works and develop evidence-based guidelines for its use. 

Share your story

If you or someone you know has experience with medical cannabis, we’d also love to hear from you. Releaf’s patient stories initiative is focused on raising awareness and helping others understand the real-world impact of medical cannabis. Read other patient stories here.

Find out more 

If you are interested in learning more about medical cannabis, we recommend visiting the Releaf Blog and Education section, where you can find information on a wide range of related