33 cancer survivors explain their use (or not) of medical cannabis

Thirty-three Canadian cancer survivors were interviewed as part of a new study published in Cancer Medicine which sought to discover the motivational factors influencing their decisions to treat themselves or abstain from medical cannabis.

Participants were recruited via social networks and across the country. They described their experiences in telephone interviews with the researchers.

For those who chose to use medical cannabis, their reasons included seeing cannabis as a natural alternative medicine, as a way of reducing the number of medications they had to take, and the availability of safer products. since the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Support from doctors, family and friends also played an important role in shaping their decisions.

Those who chose not to take medical cannabis raised concerns about the lack of scientific evidence for its efficacy and the possibility of developing addiction problems. Some said their doctor's disapproval was also a barrier to access.

In August, a study published in The Journal of Primary Care & Community Health revealed that few patients consider their GP to be a good source of information about medical cannabis.

The survey of 1,000 patients in Vermont revealed that while nearly half of respondents had used cannabis in the past year, fewer than 20% felt their doctor was sufficiently knowledgeable on the subject. Medical cannabis has been legal in Vermont for 16 years, and recreational cannabis was legalized in 2018, with sales opening in 2021.

«Care providers need to be well-informed about cannabinoids to better support patient care,» the study concludes. «Furthermore, with a significant number of patients reporting that cannabinoids are useful for common medical conditions, it is important that research continues to identify the potential benefits and harms of cannabis.»