ASCO guideline on cannabis use for adults with cancer
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First ASCO guideline on cannabis in cancer care
- Evidence Grade:
- The expert panel found low or very low certainty evidence for most outcomes, reflecting the limited quantity and quality of cannabis research in oncology.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Evidence review covered literature through January 2023.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guideline.
- Published In:
- Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 42(13), 1575-1593 (2024)
- Authors:
- Braun, Ilana M(3), Bohlke, Kari, Abrams, Donald I(6), 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
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05157
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ASCO recommend cannabis for cancer treatment?
No. The guideline recommends against using cannabis as a cancer-directed treatment unless within a clinical trial. The potential role is limited to symptom management, particularly refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Can cannabis help with chemotherapy side effects?
The guideline states cannabis may improve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that has not responded to standard antiemetic regimens. Evidence for other symptoms like pain or sleep remains uncertain.
Why is the evidence so limited?
Cannabis research in oncology has been hampered by regulatory barriers, small study sizes, and the wide variety of cannabis products, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions from existing data.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05157APA
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
MLA
Braun, Ilana M, et al. "Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guideline.." Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.02596
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adults With Cancer: ASCO Guidel..." RTHC-05157. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/braun-2024-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-in
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.