Survey of terminally ill medical cannabis patients finds cannabis may serve as an alternative to hospice care | Research

The takeaway

Among 342 terminally ill medical cannabis patients in Illinois, very few were enrolled in hospice, with cancer patients and those who fast-tracked their cannabis application less likely to enroll, suggesting cannabis may operate as an alternative to formal end-of-life care.

Hospice and palliative care providers, oncologists, and medical cannabis program administrators.

Only 5.6% of terminal cannabis patients were enrolled in hospice

What the researchers found

Only 19 of 342 terminal patients were enrolled in hospice, with 323 planning enrollment. Cancer patients (OR 0.21) and those who used the fast-track cannabis application (OR 0.11) were significantly less likely to be in hospice. The findings suggest cannabis use may function as an alternative to hospice and palliative care rather than complementing it.

Why it matters

If terminally ill patients are choosing cannabis over hospice care, they may miss out on comprehensive symptom management, psychosocial support, and end-of-life planning that hospice provides.

The numbers in context

342 terminal patients; only 19 enrolled in hospice; cancer patients OR=0.21 for hospice enrollment; fast-track applicants OR=0.11 for hospice enrollment.

How the study worked

Anonymous cross-sectional survey of 342 terminal patients enrolled in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program. Logistic regression compared hospice enrollment, palliative care use, and standard care by patient characteristics.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Small hospice-enrolled group (n=19). Self-selected sample. No data on symptom management outcomes. Illinois-specific program structure may not generalize.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey with small hospice subgroup, but novel focus on cannabis-hospice intersection.

When this study was published

Published in 2022 with Illinois Medical Cannabis Program data.

The bigger picture

The intersection of medical cannabis and end-of-life care is an emerging area where patient choices, limited evidence, and complex healthcare systems converge, with potential for both benefit and missed care opportunities.

Questions still open

Are cannabis-using terminal patients getting adequate symptom management? Would integrating cannabis into hospice programs improve uptake? Do clinicians discuss both cannabis and hospice options?

Common questions

Do terminally ill cannabis patients use hospice?

In this study, very few did. Only 19 of 342 terminal patients were enrolled in hospice, and cancer patients and those who fast-tracked their cannabis applications were significantly less likely to enroll.

Is medical cannabis a substitute for end-of-life care?

The researchers suggest cannabis may operate as an alternative to hospice and palliative care, but note that clinicians should discuss both options to ensure patients receive comprehensive end-of-life support.

Read the original research

Cannabis and End-of-Life Care: A Snapshot of Hospice Planning and Experiences Among Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients With A Terminal Diagnosis.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care, 39(3), 345-352

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Croker, James Alton; Bobitt, Julie; Sanders, Sara; Arora, Kanika; Mueller, Keith; Kaskie, Brian. (2022). Cannabis and End-of-Life Care: A Snapshot of Hospice Planning and Experiences Among Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients With A Terminal Diagnosis.. The American journal of hospice & palliative care, 39(3), 345-352. https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091211018655