Patient experiences and perspectives regarding medicinal cannabis: a qualitative scoping review
Frederik Rosenbæk 1, Jesper Bo Nielsen 1, Line Bjørnskov Pedersen 1 2, Sif Schmidt Stewart-Ferrer 1, Jens Søndergaard 1, Jessica Joan Williams 1, Elisabeth Assing Hvidt 1
- 1Department of Public Health, Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
- 2Department of Public Health, DaCHE – Danish Centre for Health Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
Affiliationer
Introduction: The objective was to synthesise existing qualitative research on patients’ experiences and perspectives regarding medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based prescription medications.
Content: A systematic search of EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library identified peer-reviewed articles. Characteristics and findings were organised using a predesigned data charting form. Thematic analysis identified key themes. Reporting followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Summary: From 849 records, 40 met inclusion criteria. Themes highlighted therapeutic potential and tolerability across various conditions. Patients described diverse administration methods and dosing strategies tailored to individual needs. Barriers included stigma, high costs, and bureaucratic delays in access and reimbursement. Facilitators involved support from healthcare providers, family, peers, and communities. Patients expressed a need for more education, information, and research. Many viewed prescription cannabis as superior to conventional medicines, though concerns about safety persisted.
Outlook: A gap exists between generally positive patient-reported experiences and the cautious stance of the medical community, which calls for more definitive research. Patients often face stigma and bureaucratic hurdles, though support from physicians and social networks can ease access. Views on safety and effectiveness vary, as some see medicinal cannabis as natural and safe, while others remain sceptical.
Keywords: cannabis-based medicine; medicinal cannabis; patient experience; patient perspective; qualitative; scoping review.
© 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.
Key points for decision makers
- Patients experience therapeutic effects and good tolerability of medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based medicines, even though some experience adverse effects.
- Patients view barriers to treatment as stigmatisation from healthcare providers and society, high financial costs of products, and bureaucratic delay in access and reimbursement of prescriptions.
- Patients note facilitators to treatment as support from healthcare professionals, family, peers, and community networks.
- According to patients, more information, education, and research is needed for the optimal and safe use of medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based medicine.