Illegal cannabis usage: Backstreet bud usage statistics

The statistic revealing that 1.8 million Brits are obtaining illegal cannabis for medicinal purposes originates from research conducted by The Sapphire Medical Clinic in March 2023.

This study involved a YouGov survey of the general population conducted in October of the previous year.

Their findings also indicate that 52% of UK adults have received a diagnosis for a health condition that might benefit from cannabis-based treatments.

However, only 24% of this group are aware that cannabis-based products can be legally prescribed.

These statistics underscore the pervasive lack of understanding and awareness surrounding medical cannabis within the UK.

The economic impact of illegal cannabis usage in the uk

Of the estimated 1.8 million individuals purchasing cannabis illegally in the UK, those using it for self-medication and chronic pain relief were found to spend an average of £156 per month, equivalent to £1,872 annually.

Collectively, these individuals who self-medicate with illegally sourced cannabis contribute approximately £3.57 billion annually to the underground, illegal economies in the UK alone.

Reasons for illicit purchase of medical cannabis despite legal availability

A survey conducted to understand why individuals resort to purchasing medical cannabis illicitly, despite its legal availability, revealed significant insights.

Approximately 41% of respondents anticipated encountering too many obstacles in accessing medical cannabis through legal channels, while 29% believed that legal suppliers would offer prohibitively expensive products.

However, in reality, legal medical cannabis undergoes stringent production procedures to meet quality, efficacy, and safety standards before entering the market.

This ensures that the cannabis provided not only effectively treats or manages patient symptoms but also offers a cost-effective treatment option for patients.

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Legal cannabis usage: Accessibility and availability statistics

Despite the legalization of medical cannabis in 2018, the legal market for cannabis-based products in the UK remains significantly overshadowed by its illicit counterpart.

Precise figures regarding the number of individuals accessing medical cannabis legally in the country are still elusive.

In January 2023, John Spellar, Labour MP for Warley, submitted an inquiry to the House of Commons seeking clarification on the availability of legal cannabis-based medicines in the UK. His query read:

“To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines have been issued since those prescriptions became legal?”

In response, due to GDPR regulations, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) could not disclose the number of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed by the NHS.

However, they disclosed that specialists in the private sector issued 89,239 prescriptions for similar medications between November 2018 and October 2022. Meanwhile, the NHS issued 11,976 prescriptions for licensed cannabis-based medicines during the same period.

A parliamentary report in June 2023 revealed that approximately 20,000 individuals in the UK possess valid and legal prescriptions for cannabis-based products or medicinal cannabis from private medical cannabis clinics, with an additional 1,000 receiving NHS cannabis prescriptions.

However, compared to the estimated 1.8 million illicit users, these figures remain relatively small.

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Conclusion

In summary, despite the legalization of medical cannabis, a significant segment of the population continues to depend on illegal sources for their medicinal cannabis needs.

This trend is primarily attributed to misconceptions and a lack of awareness regarding cannabis legislation and available accessibility options.

The statistics and insights presented in this report, along with numerous others, underscore the pressing need for enhanced public education regarding the legal pathways for accessing medical cannabis.

Furthermore, this report highlights the substantial economic impact of the illegal cannabis market on the UK economy.

It underscores the importance of guiding consumers towards legal and regulated channels, which guarantee patient safety, medication quality, and efficacy.