Beyond symptom change: a qualitative descriptive study of reported quality of life experiences among adults prescribed medicinal cannabis for anxiety disorders

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling mental health conditions and are associated with impairments in quality of life (QoL). Previous studies have examined medicinal cannabis for anxiety and QoL using short-term follow-up or cross-sectional surveys. However, there is little longitudinal qualitative research examining how patients experience QoL changes. AIM: To explore the perceived impacts on QoL for people with diagnosed anxiety disorders over the first six to twelve months after commencement of medicinal cannabis treatment. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and participant diary entries. Adults with an anxiety disorder who had initiated medicinal cannabis within the previous six months were purposively recruited from clinics across Australia. Diary entries were completed at three and six months to capture evolving treatment experiences, with semi-structured interviews conducted within 12 months of treatment commencement. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's methodology. RESULTS: Nine participants (median age 36 years) were included, eight completed diary entries and interviews, and one completed interview only. Participants described improvements across QoL domains following initiation of medicinal cannabis. Themes reflected benefits and challenges, including reclaiming agency over anxiety, QoL changes, social and legal concerns, barriers to treatment initiation, and future treatment intentions. Participants reported perceived improvements in sleep, emotional regulation, relationships, motivation, daily functioning, and overall wellbeing. Several participants also described greater engagement with coping strategies and increased participation in social and daily activities. These benefits occurred alongside challenges, including stigma surrounding disclosure of medicinal cannabis treatment and concerns about cannabis driving legislation and roadside drug testing. CONCLUSION: Participants perceived medicinal cannabis as a tool for managing anxiety rather than eliminating symptoms, contributing to improved QoL across domains. Findings highlight the importance of considering QoL alongside symptom management and the role of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in supporting patients through counselling, treatment monitoring, and stigma reduction. There is a need for evidence-informed policy that balances road safety measures while minimising unintended social and legal harms for patients prescribed medicinal cannabis.