Public Health launches Island-wide survey on medicinal cannabis use

Residents invited to share experiences and attitudes as researchers assess substance use patterns following law changes

Public Health Isle of Man has launched a survey to better understand how medicinal cannabis and other substances are being used across the Isle of Man.

The online survey - which opened today (4 February) - runs through to 18 March and is available to anyone living on the Island.

Officials say the results will help build a clearer picture of medicinal cannabis use since legislation was introduced to allow its prescription for certain medical conditions.

Additionally, the survey examines the extent and patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use, alongside wider attitudes and perceptions around substance use in the Isle of Man.

Director of Public Health Dr Matt Tyrer says the survey is intended to create a "solid research-base" following the change in the law, and its findings will help identify patterns of substance use in society and will feed into a report expected to be published later this year.

The data will be compared with previous research, including the Isle of Man Substance Use Survey carried out in 2022. That study found 25.8 percent of adults had used at least one substance - including tobacco, binge drinking or drugs - in the previous 12 months.

Substance use was more commonly reported among men, younger adults, lower-income groups, renters and shift workers. Around 1,900 people took part in that survey, representing approximately 2.7 percent of the Island’s population.

The current research is being conducted by Liverpool John Moores University. Researchers say the aim is to understand the scale and nature of medicinal cannabis use on the Island.

The survey can be found HERE.