- 97% of patients prescribed medical cannabis for mental health conditions say it improved their wellbeing and happiness and 68% say it enables them to work
- Consultant psychiatrist Dr Anup Mathew says there’s strong international evidence to support prescribing medical cannabis for mental health conditions
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Alternaleaf patient Jack (32) who lives in East London says medical cannabis enabled him to get back to work after a mental breakdown
READING, UK. March 9th, 2026 – A new survey of 780 patients suggests medical cannabis clinics can play a key role in the UK’s response to rising rates of mental illness and mental health incapacity, according to a leading clinic.
Alternaleaf’s survey of UK adults who are prescribed medical cannabis for anxiety, depression, insomnia, post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions found 97% of respondents said medical cannabis improved their wellbeing and happiness.
Other findings include 88% said medical cannabis made them more optimistic about their future, 81% said it made them more motivated and 68% said it enabled them to work.
Most patients (69%) said they had been prescribed medical cannabis for less than 12 months. Almost two out of three (62%) were living with at least one other long term health condition, such as chronic pain, and one in five (20%) said they are waiting for NHS mental health treatment. Two out of three patients said they are currently employed (49%), self-employed (12%) or studying (4%).
The results come amid rising rates of mental illness and mental health incapacity across the UK. According to NHS England, 22.6% of 16 to 64 year olds had a common mental health condition in 2024 – up from 18.9% in 2014. An estimated 1.7m people were waiting for NHS mental health treatment in England alone in 2025.
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show approximately 1.5 million adults in England and Wales were receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for mental health conditions in October 2025 – up from 848,882 people in January 2020. A further 197,000 people in Scotland and 101,590 people in Northern Ireland are receiving disability benefits for mental health conditions.
Dr Anup Mathew, lead consultant psychiatrist at Alternaleaf, said: “Our survey results confirm medical cannabis clinics can support mental health patients and the UK’s mental health response. There is now strong international evidence showing medical cannabis can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions for some people.
“Medical cannabis must not be conflated with street cannabis. Medical cannabis is quality-controlled medicine, which has been legally prescribed in the UK since 2018. When taken under medical supervision, medical cannabis can safely alleviate mental health symptoms without unwanted side effects. As our survey shows, many people prescribed medical cannabis report significant improvements in mood, quality of life and their ability to work.”
Jack, 32, from East London, is among thousands of patients prescribed medical cannabis for mental health conditions by doctors at Alternaleaf. “I had a mental breakdown in December 2024, “ said Jack. “I got signed off work and had really bad anxiety and depression. The biggest thing for me is I’ve been able to go back to work. I’m a lot calmer and have the confidence to go back to work. I started a new job on Monday. It’s nice to actually get back into work life.”
ENDS