Grünhorn Patient Survey Reveals: Half of Employers Support Their Employees

More than half (53%) of all patients undergoing cannabis therapy receive support from their employers, provided they are open about their therapy. Support typically comes in the form of regular conversations, and sometimes financially or through occupational health services. This is highlighted in the third part of the Grünhorn patient survey, which included over 2,200 participants.

According to the survey, 53% of employers support their employees undergoing cannabis therapy. Specifically, nine out of ten employers engage in regular discussions with their staff, 16% offer support through occupational health services, and 7% allow employees to take their medication during work hours. Additionally, 10% even cover part or all of the therapy costs.

However, only 25% of participants inform their employers about their cannabis therapy. 54% indicated that they do not, and 21% do not have employers. The second part of the study already revealed that only 15% of cannabis patients are unemployed (3.6%) or unable to work (10.5%). The survey also included self-employed individuals (10.1%), retirees (5.5%), students (4%), and even employers themselves (1.7%).

Dr. Nadine Herwig, head of the Grünhorn Academy, the educational and training platform of Grünhorn, which conducted the survey, commented: “It is understandable that due to the stigma, more than half of the patients lack the courage to discuss their therapy openly with their employers. This is unfortunate because, in many cases, cannabis therapy is what makes working life possible.”

For the third part of the Grünhorn patient survey, data from a total of 2,240 participants was analyzed. Participants were asked about the amount of cannabis used, the duration and changes in dosage, whether the costs of cannabis were covered by health insurance, if employers were informed about the therapy, and the type of support provided by employers.