ASCO recommends against using cannabis as a cancer treatment outside clinical trials but acknowledges it may help with chemotherapy-induced nausea that does not respond to standard antiemetics.
People interested in cannabis use during cancer treatment, particularly for managing side effects.
First ASCO guideline on cannabis in cancer care
What the researchers found
The guideline found that cannabis access and use by cancer patients has outpaced the supporting science. Evidence suggests cannabis may improve refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when added to standard antiemetic regimens, but evidence for other supportive care outcomes remains uncertain.
Why it matters
This is the first ASCO guideline specifically addressing cannabis in cancer care. It provides an authoritative, evidence-based framework at a time when many cancer patients are already using cannabis, often without clinician guidance.
The numbers in context
13 systematic reviews and 5 primary studies formed the evidence base. Certainty of evidence was low or very low for most outcomes. Guideline covers synthetic cannabinoids, herbal derivatives, single cannabinoids, combinations, and full-spectrum cannabis.
How the study worked
Systematic literature review of PubMed and Cochrane Library through January 2023, identifying 13 systematic reviews and 5 additional primary studies (4 RCTs, 1 cohort). An expert panel reviewed the evidence to formulate recommendations using established ASCO guideline methodology.
What this study cannot tell us
The evidence base is small and mostly low quality. The guideline cannot make strong recommendations because the underlying research is insufficient. It does not cover pediatric cancer patients.
How to read the evidence
The expert panel found low or very low certainty evidence for most outcomes, reflecting the limited quantity and quality of cannabis research in oncology.
When this study was published
Published in 2024 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Evidence review covered literature through January 2023.
The bigger picture
With cancer patients increasingly turning to cannabis for symptom management, the oncology community needed formal guidance. This guideline signals that mainstream oncology recognizes both the potential utility and the knowledge gaps around cannabis in cancer care.
Questions still open
- Which specific cannabinoid formulations are most effective for chemotherapy nausea? Can cannabis improve cancer-related pain, sleep, or quality of life? What are the long-term effects of cannabis use during cancer treatment?
Common questions
Does ASCO recommend cannabis for cancer treatment?
Can cannabis help with chemotherapy side effects?
Why is the evidence so limited?
Read the original research
Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guideline.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 42(13), 1575-1593
Citation
Braun, Ilana M; Bohlke, Kari; Abrams, Donald I; Anderson, Holly; Balneaves, Lynda G; Bar-Sela, Gil; Bowles, Daniel W; Chai, Peter R; Damani, Anuja; Gupta, Arjun; Hallmeyer, Sigrun; Subbiah, Ishwaria M; Twelves, Chris; Wallace, Mark S; Roeland, Eric J. (2024). Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guideline.. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 42(13), 1575-1593. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.02596
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