New York, NY: Cannabis has a “well-established role in managing symptoms related to cancer” and there is a “substantial scientific basis” for re-evaluating its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance, according to the findings of a meta-analysis of over 10,000 scientific papers published in the journal Frontiers in Oncology.
Investigators affiliated with the Chopra Foundation in New York and the Whole Health Oncology Institute in Hawaii reviewed data from 10,641 peer-reviewed studies assessing the efficacy and safety of cannabis for managing cancer-related symptoms. The analysis is the largest ever conducted on the subject of cannabis and cancer management.
They reported, “Across all categories examined – health metrics, cancer treatments, and cancer dynamics – there is a consistent consensus that supports the potential of medical cannabis.”
The study’s authors concluded: “In medical practice, the strong support for cannabis as a palliative adjunct to cancer treatments offers healthcare providers a data-driven foundation to consider cannabis as part of a comprehensive cancer care strategy. The demonstrated efficacy in managing symptoms like pain, nausea, and appetite loss can significantly enhance patients’ quality of life, making cannabis a valuable tool in both palliative care and potentially in curative settings. The growing consensus around cannabis’ therapeutic benefits also highlights the need for medical professionals to stay informed about the latest research, as cannabis continues to evolve from a controversial substance to a scientifically validated treatment option.”
In an accompanying press release, the study’s lead author added: “This is one of the clearest, most dramatic validations of medical cannabis in cancer care that the scientific community has ever seen. We expected controversy. What we found was overwhelming scientific consensus.”
Full text of the study, “Meta-analysis of medical cannabis outcomes and associations with cancer,” appears in Frontiers in Oncology. Additional information on cannabinoids and cancer is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.