Cannabis-based medicinal products

What we believe

We believe that people with Parkinson’s and their carers have the right to make informed choices about their healthcare, including on cannabis-based medicinal products. We know that people with Parkinson's desperately want new and better treatments that help them to manage their condition and live life to the full

However, there is little conclusive clinical evidence of the benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products on Parkinson's symptoms.

We believe the government should prioritise funding clinical trials into cannabis-based medicinal products and encourage participation from people with Parkinson's. Investment will ensure robust evidence can be gathered on whether they are effective in treating symptoms of the condition. 

Why we believe this

The evidence on the benefits of cannabis-derived products or cannabis-based medicinal products in controlling Parkinson’s symptoms is limited and inconclusive.

However, we hear anecdotally from people with Parkinson’s that some experience short-lived benefits on their symptoms from using cannabis-derived products.

What's the evidence?

A small number of clinical trials have taken place investigating the potential of cannabis-based medicinal products in controlling Parkinson’s symptoms and findings have been inconclusive.

More recent research supports this assertion that the scientific evidence is not definitive and that more trials are required in order to determine the efficacy of using cannabis-based products to control Parkinson’s symptoms.

Full policy statement on cannabis-based medicinal products 

This policy statement has been developed with advice and guidance from people with Parkinson's, the people who love and care for them, health and social care professionals and other experts. You can find more details in the full policy document below.

Read the full Parkinson's UK policy statement on cannabis-based medicinal products.