Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives
<b>Background:</b> The introduction of medical cannabis in Greece marks a shift in healthcare policy, yet patient attitudes remain underexplored. <b>Methods:</b> This qualitative study examines the market readiness for medical cannabis through semi-structured interviews with...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Medicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/12/2/12 |
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| author | Christos Ntais Yioula Melanthiou |
| author_facet | Christos Ntais Yioula Melanthiou |
| author_sort | Christos Ntais |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> The introduction of medical cannabis in Greece marks a shift in healthcare policy, yet patient attitudes remain underexplored. <b>Methods:</b> This qualitative study examines the market readiness for medical cannabis through semi-structured interviews with 24 participants—12 users of cannabidiol (CBD)-based formulations and 12 medical cannabis-naive individuals. <b>Results:</b> CBD-experienced patients generally perceive cannabis-based treatments as beneficial for managing musculoskeletal pain, migraines, anxiety, stress and sleep disturbances, despite concerns over product quality, cost and limited medical guidance. Medical cannabis-naive participants express skepticism due to stigma and perceived insufficient evidence but acknowledge potential therapeutic value within a regulated framework. This study highlights the need for better patient education, physician training and clear regulatory guidelines to support responsible market entry. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings offer important insights for policymakers, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the need for a structured, evidence-based approach to medical cannabis integration in Greece. Further research is needed to assess long-term patient experiences and the evolving impact of regulatory changes on market dynamics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eed9f2e1efef4fa98c4f5d23f2c37fc0 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2305-6320 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-eed9f2e1efef4fa98c4f5d23f2c37fc02025-06-25T14:09:57ZengMDPI AGMedicines2305-63202025-05-011221210.3390/medicines12020012Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient PerspectivesChristos Ntais0Yioula Melanthiou1Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics & Management, Open University of Cyprus, 2220 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Communication and Marketing, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus<b>Background:</b> The introduction of medical cannabis in Greece marks a shift in healthcare policy, yet patient attitudes remain underexplored. <b>Methods:</b> This qualitative study examines the market readiness for medical cannabis through semi-structured interviews with 24 participants—12 users of cannabidiol (CBD)-based formulations and 12 medical cannabis-naive individuals. <b>Results:</b> CBD-experienced patients generally perceive cannabis-based treatments as beneficial for managing musculoskeletal pain, migraines, anxiety, stress and sleep disturbances, despite concerns over product quality, cost and limited medical guidance. Medical cannabis-naive participants express skepticism due to stigma and perceived insufficient evidence but acknowledge potential therapeutic value within a regulated framework. This study highlights the need for better patient education, physician training and clear regulatory guidelines to support responsible market entry. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings offer important insights for policymakers, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the need for a structured, evidence-based approach to medical cannabis integration in Greece. Further research is needed to assess long-term patient experiences and the evolving impact of regulatory changes on market dynamics.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/12/2/12medical cannabisclinical evidencesocial stigmaregulatory frameworkqualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Christos Ntais Yioula Melanthiou Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives Medicines medical cannabis clinical evidence social stigma regulatory framework qualitative research |
| title | Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives |
| title_full | Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives |
| title_short | Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives |
| title_sort | assessing the market readiness for medical cannabis in greece a qualitative study of patient perspectives |
| topic | medical cannabis clinical evidence social stigma regulatory framework qualitative research |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/12/2/12 |
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