Skip to main content Research Participation Can your photographs help change how people see medical cannabis patients? Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) want to hear from people in the UK who have a legal prescription for medical cannabis. By taking part, you can help show the world what life is really like as a prescribed patient. Study open now Takes around 1 hour Online, from home Fully confidential About the study The MedCan Project: Seeing Stigma — Liverpool John Moores University, 2025 Many people who use medical cannabis with a legal prescription still face unfair judgement from others. This can happen at work, in healthcare settings, or in everyday social life. The Seeing Stigma study wants to understand this experience from the inside, in your own words and through your own eyes. This study uses a method called Photovoice. You take photographs in your daily life, then share what those images mean to you. Your photographs become evidence. They help researchers, policymakers, and the public understand the reality of living as a prescribed medical cannabis patient in the UK. The research team has already taken patient stories to parliament. This is your chance to make your voice part of that conversation. What is Photovoice? Photovoice is a research method where you take photographs to tell your story. You do not need to be a photographer. You just need a mobile phone or camera and the ability to share a few images by email, along with a short note about what each photo means to you. There are no right or wrong answers. Who can take part? You are eligible if all three of the following apply to you. Aged 18 or over You must be an adult aged 18 or older to take part in this study. Living in the UK You must currently be living in the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Prescribed patient or carer You are currently prescribed medical cannabis by a doctor, or you are a carer for someone who is. Important: prescriptions only This particular study is about medical cannabis used with a legal UK prescription. It does not include recreational cannabis use. If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can register your interest and the research team will confirm your eligibility. What would I need to do? Taking part is straightforward and entirely on your own terms. 1 Register your interest Complete a short online form. This does not commit you to anything. The team will send you a full information pack. 2 Take photographs Using any camera or mobile phone, take photos that represent your life as a prescribed patient. No photography experience is needed. 3 Share by email Send your photographs to the research team along with a few words about what each image means to you. 4 Optional interview You may be invited to a short online conversation about your photographs. You can say no, or stop at any point. Your privacy and safety Your wellbeing and confidentiality come first throughout this study. Protections in place All responses are fully confidential You can withdraw at any time, with no reason needed No questions you are uncomfortable answering Photos will only be used as agreed with you Ethically approved by LJMU (Ref: 24/LCP/005) Your name will never appear in published work without your consent Ready to get involved? Register your interest now. Completing the form takes just a few minutes and commits you to nothing. The research team will send you the full participant information pack and answer any questions you have. Register your interest About the MedCan Project Lead researcher Dr Lindsey Metcalf McGrath Principal Investigator, School of Justice Studies, Liverpool John Moores University Dr Metcalf McGrath leads the MedCan Project at LJMU. Her team has previously carried patient research directly to parliament. You can contact her directly if you have any questions before deciding whether to take part. Ethics ref: 24/LCP/005 Conducted by Liverpool John Moores University Social: @MedCanProject LJMU central: 0151 231 2121 References Metcalf McGrath, L. and Liverpool John Moores University (2025) MedCan Project: Seeing Stigma — Participant Information Sheet. Liverpool: LJMU School of Justice Studies. Available at: https://ljmu.questionpro.eu/MedCanProjectSeeingStigma (Accessed: 2 June 2025). Liverpool John Moores University (2025) Medical Cannabis Project — Research Participation. Liverpool: LJMU. Available at: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/research-participation/medical-cannabis (Accessed: 2 June 2025). Wang, C. and Burris, M.A. (1997) ‘Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment’, Health Education and Behavior, 24(3), pp. 369–387. doi: 10.1177/109019819702400309.
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