New Study Finds Medical Marijuana Provides Significant Relief for Cancer Patients, but Raises Concerns about Affordability
A recent study published in the journal Cannabis has found that medical marijuana provides significant improvements in cancer-related symptoms for patients who use it. The study, which surveyed 220 patients with cancer enrolled in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program, found that the overwhelming majority of patients reported symptom improvement associated with medical marijuana use.
The study also found that patients who were not living comfortably under their current income were more likely to stop using cannabis or use it less frequently due to the high cost of marijuana. In fact, 54% of patients in this group stopped or used cannabis less frequently as they would like, with 85% citing costs as a reason.
Despite these challenges, the study found no significant differences in the self-reported effects on symptom burden between patients who were living comfortably and those who were not. Patients with pain, insomnia, and stress (anxiety/depression) reported the largest benefit from cannabis use, with 83-91% of patients reporting improvements in these symptoms.
The study’s authors noted that while medical cannabis is increasingly used to manage cancer-related symptoms, insurance companies and healthcare plans do not reimburse medical cannabis, leaving patients responsible for all associated costs. This raises concerns about health equity and access to medical cannabis among those with cancer, particularly for those who are less financially stable.
The study’s findings are consistent with other recent research on the therapeutic value of cannabis. A separate study published in the journal Discover Oncology found that a variety of cannabinoids, including delta-9 THC, CBD, and cannabigerol (CBG), show promising potential as anticancer agents. Another study published in the journal JNCI Monographs found that nearly a third of patients with cancer reported using cannabis, primarily to treat cancer- and treatment-related symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, pain, and mood changes.
Overall, the study’s findings suggest that medical marijuana can provide significant relief for cancer patients, but that access to this therapy is limited by affordability and lack of insurance coverage. The authors of the study call for interventions to make medical cannabis more affordable and accessible to all patients, regardless of their financial situation.
