Medical Cannabis for Cancer Patients: Real-World Results
What Researchers Found About Cancer and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019
Researchers
Minnesota Department of Health (United States)
Study Type
Patient SurveyDuration
4 months
Key Finding
Cancer patients in Minnesota's medical cannabis program showed significant improvement across ALL 8 symptoms tracked—anxiety, appetite, depression, sleep, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting—within 4 months. Only 10.5% reported adverse effects.
Key Finding: Cancer patients in Minnesota's medical cannabis program showed significant improvement across ALL 8 symptoms tracked—anxiety, appetite, depression, sleep, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting—within 4 months. Only 10.5% reported adverse effects.
What Researchers Studied About Cancer and Cannabis
What actually happens when cancer patients start using medical cannabis? Minnesota's unique program tracks patient-reported symptoms with every purchase.
This real-world study examined how cancer patients' symptoms changed during their first 4 months in the medical cannabis program.
Unlike controlled trials, this shows what happens in actual clinical practice with real patients choosing their own products and doses.
How This Survey Study Was Conducted
Minnesota's medical cannabis program collected real-world data:
• Cancer patients reported 8 symptoms before each purchase • Symptoms rated at their worst over past 24 hours • Tracked: anxiety, appetite, depression, sleep, fatigue, nausea, pain, vomiting • Compared baseline scores to average scores over first 4 months • Measured clinically meaningful improvement (≥30% reduction) • Tracked adverse effects
Cancer Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 1Significant reduction in ALL 8 symptoms (all p<0.001)
- 250% achieved ≥30% reduction in vomiting (best)
- 327% achieved ≥30% reduction in fatigue (lowest)
- 4Pain, anxiety, nausea, sleep, appetite all improved significantly
- 5Only 10.5% reported adverse effects
- 6Some patients achieved lasting improvement
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 8 of 8 | symptoms showed significant improvement |
| 27-50% | of patients achieved meaningful (≥30%) symptom reduction |
| 10.5% | reported any adverse effects |
| 4 months | follow-up period |
symptoms showed significant improvement
of patients achieved meaningful (≥30%) symptom reduction
reported any adverse effects
follow-up period
What This Means for Cancer Patients
This real-world data shows what cancer patients actually experience:
All symptoms improved: • Anxiety • Appetite (lack of) • Depression • Sleep disturbance • Fatigue • Nausea • Pain • Vomiting
Response rates varied by symptom: • Vomiting: 50% achieved meaningful improvement • Fatigue: 27% achieved meaningful improvement • Other symptoms fell in between
Well tolerated: Only 10.5% of patients reported adverse effects—much lower than many cancer treatments.
Real-world value: This isn't a controlled trial—it's what happens when actual cancer patients choose to use medical cannabis. The improvements across ALL symptoms suggest broad benefit for cancer-related suffering.
Important context: Patients self-selected to use cannabis, so these may be patients more likely to respond. But the consistent pattern across all symptoms is encouraging.
Quick Answers: Cancer and Cannabis
Direct answers based on the findings of this study:
Research Summary: Answers are based on published peer-reviewed studies and represent research findings, not medical recommendations. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
Does marijuana help cancer patients feel better?
Yes—real-world data from Minnesota found cancer patients improved in ALL 8 symptoms tracked: pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, sleep, appetite, depression, and fatigue. Only 10.5% had side effects (Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019).
Source: Anderson et al., Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019 (PMID: 30860938)
What symptoms does marijuana help during cancer?
All symptoms tracked improved: vomiting (50% got better), anxiety, sleep, appetite, depression, nausea, pain, and fatigue (27% got better). This is real patient data from Minnesota's medical cannabis program.
Source: Anderson et al., Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019 (PMID: 30860938)
Is medical marijuana safe during cancer treatment?
It appears well-tolerated—only 10.5% of cancer patients reported side effects in Minnesota's program, while all 8 symptoms tracked showed significant improvement over 4 months.
Source: Anderson et al., Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019 (PMID: 30860938)
This is educational content, not medical advice
The research summarized here is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and what works in studies may not work the same way for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or starting medical cannabis therapy.
Important Limitations
This study has some caveats to keep in mind when interpreting the results:
- No control group (not a randomized trial)
- Patient self-selection bias
- Placebo effect cannot be ruled out
- Various cannabis products used
- Not all patients maintained improvement long-term
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Cancer
This real-world registry study from Minnesota provides valuable evidence that cancer patients experience meaningful symptom relief with medical cannabis. All eight tracked symptoms—including pain, nausea, anxiety, and sleep—showed significant improvement, with 27-50% of patients achieving clinically meaningful benefit. With only 10.5% reporting adverse effects, medical cannabis appears well-tolerated for cancer symptom management. While this isn't the same as a controlled trial, it reflects what actually happens when cancer patients use medical cannabis in practice.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Cancer, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
Related Research
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cannabis for Chronic Pain & Co-Occurring Conditions (2024)
- The Endocannabinoid System: Why Cannabis Works
- What Does Science Actually Know About Medical Cannabis?
- Does Cannabis Really Help Chronic Pain? What 32 Clinical Trials Found
- Cannabis Benefits and Risks: What 101 Studies Reveal
Condition Research
Get Your Card
This condition qualifies for medical marijuana in:
Source
Anderson SP, Becker LN, Hooten WM, et al. "Impact of Medical Cannabis on Patient-Reported Symptoms for Patients With Cancer Enrolled in Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program" Journal of Oncology Practice. 2019. DOI: 10.1200/JOP.18.00562
Important Information
Study Age: This study was published 7 years ago. Newer research may have updated or refined these findings.
Not Medical Advice: This research summary is for educational purposes only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
Individual Variation: Research findings represent group averages. Your individual response to cannabis may differ based on genetics, other medications, underlying conditions, and many other factors.
Last reviewed: January 24, 2026
Important Notices
Research Summary Disclaimer
This content represents our interpretation of published scientific research for educational purposes. It should not be used to make treatment decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary from study findings.
FDA Notice
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any medical condition except specific prescription medications.
Copyright & Fair Use
Research summaries are provided under fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) for educational purposes. We provide brief summaries with attribution, not full reproductions. All studies remain the intellectual property of their respective authors and publishers.
Data Sources
Study information sourced from PubMed®, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.
For complete information, see our Terms of Use and Research Content Policy.
FAQs: Cannabis for Cancer
Does medical cannabis help cancer symptoms?
Yes, according to this real-world data. Cancer patients in Minnesota showed significant improvement across all 8 symptoms tracked—anxiety, appetite, depression, sleep, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting.
What symptoms does cannabis help with in cancer?
All 8 symptoms tracked improved: anxiety, appetite loss, depression, sleep disturbance, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting. Response rates ranged from 27% (fatigue) to 50% (vomiting) achieving meaningful improvement.
Is medical cannabis safe for cancer patients?
It appears well-tolerated. Only 10.5% of cancer patients in this program reported adverse effects, and the authors concluded medical cannabis was "well tolerated."