Events

Researcher to Examine Social Factors Shaping Medical Cannabis Care

A researcher specialising in the social and cultural factors that shape health and medicine has been announced as a speaker at a medical cannabis conference in London next month.

Jodie Yettram

Dr Anna Waldstein, of the University of Kent, will speak at the Cannabis Health Symposium on 26 November about how social, cultural and behavioural factors can shape medical cannabis treatment and patient outcomes.

Her work examines the relationship between health, culture and society, including how people understand and use cannabis and other herbal medicines.

Ahead of the event, Dr Waldstein said: “I look forward to discussing how social science concepts can be applied to improve patient care.”

Cannabis, culture and patient care

Dr Waldstein is a medical anthropologist and ethnobotanist whose research has explored the social and cultural context of cannabis use.

She has carried out ethnographic research with Rastafari organisations in London on the importance of cannabis and other herbal medicines within the African Caribbean diaspora.

Her research publications have been cited in the promotion of cannabis reform in both the UK and Jamaica, and she has contributed to reports on cannabis-based medicines for the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group.

Alongside her academic work, Dr Waldstein has led training workshops for healthcare professionals on medical anthropology concepts and cultures of cannabis use.

Dr Waldstein is also one of the original co-founders of Breaking Convention: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness.

She founded Tree of Life Advisory Service, which provides social science education and advice for medical cannabis providers.

Secure your place

The Cannabis Health Symposium London will take place at Conway Hall on 26 November 2026.

Find out more and book tickets here 

Concessions are available for healthcare professionals by application.

Jodie Yettram

Jodie Yettram

Jodie Yettram is a contributing writer at Cannabis Health, covering medical cannabis research, policy, patient access and clinical practice across the UK and Europe. An NCTJ Gold Standard, award-winning journalist from Jersey, her reporting has appeared across multiple Channel Island publications and City AM in London. She has a particular interest in women’s health, mental health and neurodiversity, having campaigned for improvements to women’s healthcare in her local paper and led an investigation into ADHD services. She also won the NCTJ’s Top Scoop award for breaking the news that Jersey’s home-birth service had been suspended.