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Review
. 2019 Oct;15(10):531-538.
doi: 10.1200/JOP.19.00184. Epub 2019 Aug 23.

Concerns of Patients With Cancer on Accessing Cannabis Products in a State With Restrictive Medical Marijuana Laws: A Survey Study

Vinita Singh  1 , Ali J Zarrabi  1 , Kimberly A Curseen  1 , Roman Sniecinski  1 , Justine W Welsh  1 , Anne M McKenzie-Brown  1 , Wendy Baer  1 , Theresa W Gillespie  1
Affiliations
Review

Concerns of Patients With Cancer on Accessing Cannabis Products in a State With Restrictive Medical Marijuana Laws: A Survey Study

Vinita Singh et al. J Oncol Pract. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Several states, particularly in the Southeast, have restrictive medical marijuana laws that permit qualified patients to use specific cannabis products. The majority of these states, however, do not provide avenues for accessing cannabis products such as in-state dispensaries.

Methods: We conducted a survey of patients registered for medical marijuana (low tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] oil cards) in an ambulatory palliative care practice in Georgia (one of the states with restrictive medical marijuana laws).

Results: We had a total of 101 responses. Among our sample of patients who use cannabis as part of a state-approved low THC oil program, 56% were male and 64% were older than age 50 years. Advanced cancer was the most common reason (76%) for granting the patients access to a low THC oil card. Although patients reported cannabis products as being extremely helpful for reducing pain, they expressed considerable concerns about the legality issues (64%) and ability to obtain THC (68%). Several respondents were using unapproved formulations of cannabis products. For 48% of the patients, their physician was the source of information regarding marijuana-related products. Furthermore, they believed that their health care providers and family members were supportive of their use of cannabis (62% and 79%, respectively).

Conclusion: Patients on Georgia's medical marijuana program are most concerned about the legality of the product and their ability to obtain marijuana-related products. Therefore, we recommend that states with medical marijuana laws should provide safe and reliable access to cannabis products for qualifying patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Concerns of Patients With Cancer on Accessing Cannabis Products in a State With Restrictive Medical Marijuana Laws: A Survey Study

The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jop/site/ifc/journal-policies.html.

Roman Sniecinski

Research Funding: Grifols (Inst)

Justine W. Welsh

Consulting or Advisory Role: Analgesic Solutions

Anne M. McKenzie-Brown

Consulting or Advisory Role: Medical Director Solutions

Wendy Baer

Honoraria: WebMD

No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Primary method of obtaining marijuana-related products.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Patient concerns about marijuana-related products.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Proportions of patients concerned about obtainability and legality among those using low THC oil only v others.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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