Medical cannabis would ‘slash UK hospital waits & get thousands back to work’- Experts Push for NHS Rollout

A report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Curaleaf Clinic says that allowing more NHS access to medical cannabis could benefit the economy by £13.3 billion over the next ten years. The report states that using cannabis-based medicine could lead to better health, fewer hospital visits, less time off work, and more people getting jobs.

How Much Could Medical Cannabis Save the NHS?

Economic forecasts suggest that improving access could bring in around £1.3 billion a year by helping people get back to work. This could add £4.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) within five years and reach £13.3 billion within ten years. This change could help thousands with long-term health problems go back to work and might cut hospital admissions by 28 percent every year for qualifying patients.

Data from the Office for National Statistics last year showed that 7 percent of working-age people are unable to work due to long-term illness. Since medical cannabis became legal in 2018, private prescriptions have added about £283 million to GVA by helping people recover and return to work.

How Many People Does Long-Term Illness Affect?

The study found that 62 percent of people unable to work due to long-term illness have run out of traditional treatment options. Additionally, 71 percent of people who are out of work or have taken time off for a long illness would support wider access to medical cannabis if it could help them return to their jobs.

Dr. Simon Erridge, the research director at Curaleaf Clinic, said, “As a doctor, I see how chronic illness affects people’s health and keeps them from working. This creates economic struggles and adds social and psychological challenges that can worsen their health. This study shows that medical cannabis is not just a health issue—it’s also an economic one.”

Dr. Erridge emphasized the need for a clear plan to improve NHS access to medical cannabis for suitable patients. The study also showed that 64 percent of people think those with chronic health issues should have more treatment options to help them get back to work.

More than half (55 percent) of those on prescribed medication felt little relief, and 48 percent said their treatment negatively affected their quality of life. Furthermore, 40 percent of people struggling with work due to a long-term health condition did not know that medical cannabis is legally available in the UK. Meanwhile, 33 percent described the current system as confusing and hard to access.

While 44 percent of individuals who have not previously used medical cannabis would think about trying it if it were more widely available through the NHS, over half who are out of work reported feeling a loss of self-esteem (56 percent) and helplessness (46 percent). Additionally, 47 percent think being unemployed has harmed their mental health.

Fatma Mehmet, a patient at Curaleaf Clinic, shared her experience: “Living with chronic pain affected my physical and mental health greatly. I used to be independent and career-focused, but not being able to get out of bed and go to work felt like losing my identity. When I hit rock bottom and ran out of options, I found medical cannabis. Now, I can work, lead a team, and regain my independence. Expanding medical cannabis through the NHS would give more people more choices, which is a positive step.”

Pushpin Singh, a managing economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, concluded, "Our study shows that medical cannabis, when prescribed properly, can help people with chronic conditions return to work. Expanding access through the NHS would not only aid patients but also improve productivity and save money for the UK economy."

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