What does cannabis research say about cancer? We've analyzed 8 peer-reviewed studies to give you an honest, evidence-based overview.
Multiple high-quality studies support cannabis for this condition.
Study found evidence of effectiveness
No significant effect found
* Outcomes are based on our curated selection of research reviews. Individual study quality varies.
About This Research Summary: The information below aggregates findings from multiple peer-reviewed studies on cannabis and cancer. This is for educational purposes only.
Research summaries are our interpretations of published studies. Individual responses to cannabis vary significantly. These findings do not guarantee similar results for any individual.
Study data sourced from PubMed®. Not evaluated by the FDA. See our Research Content Policy.
Cancer encompasses over 100 different diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Beyond the disease itself, cancer patients face numerous symptoms from both the disease and its treatments: pain, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, loss of appetite and weight loss (cachexia), anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Medical cannabis has a long history in cancer care, with FDA-approved synthetic cannabinoids (dronabinol and nabilone) available since the 1980s specifically for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Today, many cancer patients use cannabis products beyond these pharmaceuticals for symptom management. It's important to distinguish between cannabis for cancer symptoms (which has evidence) and cannabis as a cancer treatment (which does not have evidence in humans). While some laboratory studies show cannabinoids can kill cancer cells in test tubes, this hasn't translated to proven cancer treatment in people. Claims that cannabis "cures cancer" are not supported by clinical evidence.
For chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), cannabinoids work on CB1 receptors in brain regions controlling nausea. THC is particularly effective, which is why FDA-approved cannabinoid drugs for nausea are THC-based. Cannabinoids may work when conventional anti-nausea drugs have failed. For cancer pain, cannabis works through the same mechanisms as for other chronic pain—modulating pain signals through the endocannabinoid system. Cancer pain often has multiple components (tumor-related, treatment-related, neuropathic) and may respond to cannabinoid therapy when added to other analgesics. For appetite loss and cachexia (wasting syndrome), THC's appetite-stimulating effects ("the munchies") can help patients maintain weight and nutrition. However, research on actual weight gain in cancer cachexia has been mixed. For quality of life, the combination of pain relief, reduced nausea, improved appetite, and better sleep can meaningfully improve how cancer patients feel day-to-day.
Note: This information summarizes research findings and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before using cannabis for any medical condition.
Based on our analysis of peer-reviewed studies on cannabis and cancer:
Based on research, these cannabinoids show the most promise for cancer:
THC is most effective for nausea, appetite stimulation, and pain. FDA-approved cannabinoid drugs for cancer are THC-based. Start with low doses (2.5-5mg) and increase as tolerated.
Adding CBD may help with pain and inflammation while potentially reducing THC side effects like anxiety. Many cancer patients prefer balanced products for overall symptom management.
CBD alone is less effective for nausea and appetite than THC, but may help with anxiety, sleep, and as an adjunct for pain. Consider if THC is not tolerated or during times when impairment is undesirable.
Individual responses vary. Work with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your situation.
For chemotherapy-induced nausea, timing is critical. Take cannabis 30-60 minutes before chemotherapy for prevention, or at nausea onset for rescue. FDA-approved dronabinol uses 5-15mg doses, but start lower with whole-plant products. For ongoing symptom management (pain, appetite, sleep), consistent daily dosing may work better than as-needed use. Start with 2.5-5mg THC and increase gradually. Cancer patients on multiple medications need to be aware of interactions—cannabis can affect how the liver processes other drugs. Discuss with your oncology team. Inhaled cannabis provides fastest relief for acute nausea or breakthrough pain but has shorter duration. Oral products are better for sustained symptom management. Cancer treatment is exhausting, so finding the right cannabis regimen adds another variable to manage. Work with providers experienced in both oncology and cannabinoid medicine when possible.
Dosing information is based on clinical research and is for educational purposes only. Optimal dosing varies by individual, product formulation, and administration method. Always start with the lowest effective dose and titrate slowly under medical supervision.
When considering cannabis for cancer, be aware of these potential concerns:
Discuss these considerations with your healthcare provider before starting cannabis therapy.
A Cochrane review of 23 trials with 1,772 patients found cannabinoids are 5.7x more effective than placebo at completely stopping chemotherapy vomiting. Dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet) are FDA-approved specifically for this purpose.
Source: Smith et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015 (PMID: 26561338)
There is no clinical evidence that cannabis treats or cures cancer in humans. While laboratory studies show effects on cancer cells in test tubes, this hasn't translated to proven cancer treatment in people. Cannabis is for symptom management, not cancer treatment.
Source: Multiple reviews confirm lack of human clinical evidence
A Minnesota registry study of cancer patients found 30% reduction in pain scores, 22% reduction in nausea, and improved quality of life with medical cannabis. It helps symptoms like pain, nausea, appetite loss, and sleep—not the cancer itself.
Source: Anderson et al., Journal of Oncology Practice, 2019 (PMID: 30860938)
Dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet) are FDA-approved synthetic cannabinoids for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. They contain THC or THC-like compounds and are available by prescription.
Source: FDA approved medications
Common questions about cannabis for cancer:
Clinicians should recommend against using cannabis or cannabinoids as a cancer-directed treatment unless within the context of a clinical trial. Cannabis may improve refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when added to standard antiemetics.
This comprehensive umbrella review of 101 meta-analyses found high-certainty evidence that CBD effectively reduces seizures in epilepsy, and cannabis-based medicines help chronic pain (30% pain reduction), MS spasticity, and IBD—but also identified clear risks during pregnancy, for mental health, and while driving.
Moderate-certainty evidence shows that nabiximols (THC/CBD spray) and THC are ineffective for relieving moderate-to-severe cancer pain that does not respond to opioids.
This scoping review found cannabis has been shown useful for both acute and chronic pain, with the strongest evidence for MS-related pain and as an adjunct in cancer pain. However, evidence is weak for neuropathic pain, rheumatic conditions, and headache, and there is no strong evidence for using cannabis to reduce opioid use.
Analyzing 32 clinical trials with 5,174 patients, this BMJ meta-analysis found that medical cannabis provides a small but real improvement in chronic pain—about 10% more patients experience meaningful relief compared to placebo. Sleep quality also improved, though side effects like dizziness occur in some patients.
This meta-analysis of 5 RCTs with 934 patients found NO evidence that cannabis helps cachexia (cancer wasting syndrome). Appetite, weight, and quality of life did not improve compared to placebo. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend cannabinoids for cachexia.
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.
In this Cochrane review of 23 trials, cannabinoids were nearly 6 times more effective than placebo at completely stopping chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Patients overwhelmingly preferred cannabis-based treatments, though side effects like feeling "high" and dizziness were common.
Our reviews are just a starting point. Browse thousands more studies on PubMed for cancer.
Cancer is a qualifying condition in virtually all states with medical marijuana programs. Most states include both cancer itself and cancer treatment side effects (like chemotherapy-induced nausea and pain) as qualifying conditions.
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.
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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.
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