Cannabis Use Shifted From Smoking to Pharmaceutical Products After Stem Cell Transplant

Cannabis use decreased from 46% to 40% after transplant. Smoking as primary method dropped (38% to 18% of users), while pharmaceutical cannabinoid use increased (13% to 21%). Provider-initiated cannabis conversations increased from 10% to 37% post-transplant. Of the total sample, 63% experienced post-treatment complications and 33% developed graft-versus-host disease, 6 of whom were recent cannabis users.

Longitudinal survey study of 30 eligible hematology patients assessed before and 90 days after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Surveys covered cannabis use rate, beliefs, access to information, and physical and psychological outcomes.

This is the first study of cannabis use specifically among stem cell transplant patients. The shift toward safer consumption methods and increased provider engagement suggests that the transplant experience prompts both patients and providers to reconsider cannabis use patterns.

Cancer patients undergoing intensive treatments like stem cell transplant face unique considerations for cannabis use, including immunosuppression and drug interactions. This study provides initial data to inform clinical guidance for this high-risk population.

Very small sample (n=30). No control group. Cannot determine whether cannabis affected transplant outcomes. The GVHD observation is hypothesis-generating given the small numbers. Self-reported cannabis use.