Increasing NHS access to medical cannabis could unlock £13.3 billion for the economy over a decade and return thousands to work, according to a report.
Wider use of cannabis-based medication could improve health outcomes, reduce hospital visits, prevent sickness absence and get more people back into work, it claims.
Medical cannabis could help people with chronic pain get back to work, a report claims[/caption]
The report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Curaleaf Clinic analysed UK data on long-term illness, employment, and hospital admissions, alongside evidence from countries like Germany.
Economic modelling projects that expanding NHS access to medical cannabis could help unlock £1.3 billion per year by getting Britain back to work – rising to £4.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) over five years, and £13.3 billion over a decade.
This could help thousands of people with long-term health conditions return to employment, while reducing hospital admissions by a predicted 28 per cent a year among those eligible.
Data from the Office for National Statistics last year showed record levels of long-term illness, with seven per cent of the working-age population out of work.
Since its legalisation in 2018, private prescriptions have already contributed around £283 million in GVA by helping people get well and back into work.
The study also found 62 per cent of people locked out of employment due to long-term illness said they had exhausted all traditional treatment options.
Seven in 10 (71 per cent) of those out of work, or who have taken time off because of a long-term illness, would support wider access to medical cannabis if it helps people return to employment.
Dr Simon Erridge, director of research at Curaleaf Clinic, said: “As a doctor, I see daily how chronic illness doesn’t just affect someone’s health.
“It removes them from the workforce, creates economic hardship, and leads to a cascade of social and psychological problems that can worsen the cycle of ill health.
“This analysis shows that medical cannabis isn’t just a health issue – it’s an economic one too.
“This report highlights a way forward. Providing people with more choice and control in their treatment, helping them build independence and, where appropriate, re-enter the workplace.
“We urgently need a roadmap towards improving access to medical cannabis via the NHS for suitable patients.”
The study also revealed 64 per cent believe people with chronic ill health should have more treatment options to help them get back to work.
More than half (55 per cent) of those who have been prescribed medication said it provides little relief, while 48 per cent reported it negatively affects their quality of life.
And 40 per cent who have struggled with employment due to a diagnosed long-term health condition are still unaware medical cannabis is legally available in the UK.
It also emerged 33 per cent described the current system as confusing, inaccessible or unclear.
While 44 per cent of those who have not previously been prescribed medical cannabis said they would consider trying it if it were more widely available on the NHS.
Over half of those locked out of employment reported a loss of self-esteem (56 per cent), and 46 per cent said they feel helpless.
How can I get medical cannabis?
Patients who feel they would benefit from medical cannabis can ask their GP for a referral, or refer themselves to a specialist cannabis clinic.
An expert doctor will then assess their medical history to decide if they are eligible – they must first have tried licensed medications for their condition.
They are then followed up four times a year.
However, there is limited access via the NHS – to date, only a handful of prescriptions have been given, for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Licensed cannabis-based medications have been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for MS-associated spasticity and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
For chronic pain, Nice found that there was sufficient clinical evidence of efficacy, but did not find it to be cost-effective.
In addition, 47 per cent believe unemployment has harmed their mental wellbeing.
Fatma Mehmet, Curaleaf Clinic patient, added: “Living with chronic pain took a huge toll on my physical and mental health.
“As someone independent and career-driven, not being able to get out of bed and go to work made me feel as if my identity was being stripped away.
“When I felt like I was at rock bottom and out of options, I discovered medical cannabis.
“I now have the ability to work, lead a team, and regain my independence.
“Expanding medical cannabis via the NHS would mean greater choice for more people, which can only be a good thing.”
Pushpin Singh, managing economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, concluded: “Our analysis shows that appropriately prescribed medical cannabis can help people with chronic conditions return to work.
“Expanding NHS access would benefit patients while delivering significant productivity gains and cost savings to the UK economy.”
