He takes medical cannabis every day - but worries people think he's a lazy stoner

OG article by Will Fyfe

November 21, 2025

Jon Leeder, a 41-year-old from Wales, uses prescribed medical cannabis daily for severe anxiety but hides it from colleagues due to fears of being labeled a "lazy stoner." Prescribed after a breakdown, he vaporizes cannabis flower before work, reporting it calms him without impairment. Over 50,000 UK patients privately access medical cannabis for conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, often at high personal cost since NHS prescriptions are rare. Stigma persists in workplaces, with patients like Devon McCarthy in finance facing career risks. Others, such as Kat Turner with functional neurological disorder, encounter hospital barriers to their medication. Dr. David Howells, a prescribing psychiatrist, notes growing evidence for supervised use but highlights fears of job loss or legal issues. Driving is permitted if unimpaired, though police checks remain a concern. Experts like Prof Sir Robin Murray caution about risks from high-potency products worsening psychiatric conditions. Patients report life-changing benefits, reduced night terrors, and improved daily functioning, while clinics advocate with employers and authorities. An upcoming government report may influence policy.