MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR CANCER?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

EDUCATIONAL SERIES: HEALTH CONDITIONS

 

Florida law formally recognizes cancers as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.1

 

WHAT ARE CANCERS?

  • Cancer refers to a large number of diseases where some cells in the body start to grow out of control, spreading to distant parts of the body, where they can continue to grow.2 These abnormal cells can harm the body because they do not work as they should.
  • There are many types of cancers, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, or colon cancer.
  • Symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is in the body and how much it has
    progressed, and may include unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, pain, changes in the skin, bleeding, or changes in bathroom habits.3

 

CAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA CURE CANCERS OR RELATED SYMPTOMS?

Two cancer cells

  • There is no high quality evidence that medical marijuana can cure cancers.4
  • Some studies of the chemicals found in medical marijuana (known as cannabinoids) suggest that some of them can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy.4,5 The effect of medical marijuana on cancer treatment-related symptoms are described in other information sheets in this series.
  • Like prescription medicines, medical marijuana can cause side effects, such as feeling confused, dizzy, tired or sick to your stomach.4

 

WHAT SHOULD I ASK MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER?

1. Discuss any prescription medications you are taking, including those for cancer (e.g., immunotherapy), pain, depression, or autoimmune disorders.
 2. Report and discuss any concerning effects of medical marijuana with your physician.
Tell your provider about your type of cancer, your treatment, and any other health problems you have. Certain compounds found in medical marijuana may possibly interact with common medications and may require further dosing adjustments that should be guided by a physician.4 There are many possible interactions between medical marijuana, diseases, medications, and other substances. Therefore, regular communication with your healthcare provider can assist in identifying risks.

 

Please note: This document is for informational purposes only, but is not medical or legal advice and should not be used to make healthcare decisions. Please consult your healthcare provider to find out what treatment options are available for you.

 

Sources

1The 2020 Florida Statutes. Title XXIX, Chapter 381, section 381.986: Medical use of marijuana.

2National Cancer Institute. What is cancer? Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health; 2021 Oct 11. 

3National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral [NG12]. London: NICE; 2015 (updated 2023).

4Ilana M. Braun et al. Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol 42, 1575-1593(2024).DOI:10.1200/JCO.23.02596.

5Jugl S et al. A Mapping Literature Review of Medical Cannabis Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Evidence in Approved Conditions in the USA from 2016 to 2019. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids 2021. 4(1):21-42.

 

Updated 2026

 

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