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Background <p>Despite the Netherlands having one of the world’s oldest medical cannabis programs, the majority of people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes continue to rely on non-prescribed sources. This study investigates patterns of use, motives for use, perceived effectiveness, and barriers to accessing prescribed cannabis among individuals self-medicating with non-prescribed cannabis.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and April 2023, using convenience sampling primarily via social media. Participants (<i>N</i> = 1059) were adults (18 years or older) residing in the Netherlands who self-reported current use of non-prescribed cannabis-based products to manage physical or mental health symptoms.</p> Results <p>Cannabis was used to manage a wide range of conditions, most commonly chronic pain, sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD/ADD, with three out of four participants reporting use for multiple conditions. Most participants obtained cannabis from coffeeshops, although one in four also reported home cultivation as a source. Participants typically smoked cannabis with tobacco, reported (near-)daily use for therapeutic purposes, and indicated a monthly expenditure of €100. The majority was not aware of the THC and CBD content of their products. Perceived effectiveness was rated as high, and more than half of those with a history of prescription medication use reported substituting cannabis for these medications. Only a minority of participants had ever used, or were currently using, prescribed cannabis. Commonly cited barriers included perceived lower quality, higher cost, and lower ease of access compared with non-prescribed cannabis.</p> Conclusions <p>The widespread use of non-prescribed cannabis for medicinal purposes in the Netherlands reflects both unmet health needs and barriers within the regulated medical cannabis system. Risky use practices – such as smoking cannabis with tobacco and using products without knowing their cannabinoid content – raise public health concerns. The findings highlight the need for harm reduction strategies and policies that better align medical cannabis regulation with patients’ real-world behaviours and care needs.</p>

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Medicinal use of non-prescribed cannabis: a cross-sectional survey on patterns of use, motives for use, and treatment access in the Netherlands

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月2日

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  • Lisa Strada,
  • Simone Korteling,
  • Mark Vergeer,
  • Pieter Oomen

摘要

Background

Despite the Netherlands having one of the world’s oldest medical cannabis programs, the majority of people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes continue to rely on non-prescribed sources. This study investigates patterns of use, motives for use, perceived effectiveness, and barriers to accessing prescribed cannabis among individuals self-medicating with non-prescribed cannabis.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and April 2023, using convenience sampling primarily via social media. Participants (N = 1059) were adults (18 years or older) residing in the Netherlands who self-reported current use of non-prescribed cannabis-based products to manage physical or mental health symptoms.

Results

Cannabis was used to manage a wide range of conditions, most commonly chronic pain, sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD/ADD, with three out of four participants reporting use for multiple conditions. Most participants obtained cannabis from coffeeshops, although one in four also reported home cultivation as a source. Participants typically smoked cannabis with tobacco, reported (near-)daily use for therapeutic purposes, and indicated a monthly expenditure of €100. The majority was not aware of the THC and CBD content of their products. Perceived effectiveness was rated as high, and more than half of those with a history of prescription medication use reported substituting cannabis for these medications. Only a minority of participants had ever used, or were currently using, prescribed cannabis. Commonly cited barriers included perceived lower quality, higher cost, and lower ease of access compared with non-prescribed cannabis.

Conclusions

The widespread use of non-prescribed cannabis for medicinal purposes in the Netherlands reflects both unmet health needs and barriers within the regulated medical cannabis system. Risky use practices – such as smoking cannabis with tobacco and using products without knowing their cannabinoid content – raise public health concerns. The findings highlight the need for harm reduction strategies and policies that better align medical cannabis regulation with patients’ real-world behaviours and care needs.