Assessing the Market Readiness for Medical Cannabis in Greece: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives.

The introduction of medical cannabis in Greece marks a shift in healthcare policy, yet patient attitudes remain underexplored. 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. 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. 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.