Does Marijuana Cure Cancer?

While the use of medical marijuana is still a controversial subject, there is no denying that it has a bounty of positive effects on our health. It has already proven beneficial for reducing nausea and vomiting symptoms experienced by chemotherapy patients, improves the appetite in individuals with immune compromised states, and can relieve the symptoms of pain and muscle spasm.

The fact of the matter is that at this moment in time, cannabis has not proven itself to “cure” cancer. Preliminary testing in mice has shown anti-tumor activity, in which cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death (apoptosis), blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of vessels needed by tumors to grow. All of this data researched in mice only suggests that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal ones. This fact is the most likely culprit of all the exaggerated claims being spread about cannabis that may omit key facts.

Other research in mice has shown that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of the colon, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer. THC was shown to damage or kill liver cancer cells.

CDB, in combination with traditional forms of chemotherapy, may make cancer treatment more effective.  This recent discovery shows a lot of promise, but more research is needed, as human clinical trials can give a more definitive result.

These studies have been slow to be conducted as much of societal pressures and preconceived notions on the drug often don’t attract researchers due to the lack of funding by big pharmaceutical companies. But this is surely set to change in the near future.

Cancer is a very complex disease, having a multitude of variations from patient to patient. To say that marijuana cures cancer is frankly an overstatement, and should not be misrepresented in that manner. It has shown potential for inhibiting tumor growth, but to what extent? Would it result in lives saved? These questions have yet to be properly addressed.

While the jury is still out on the cancer curing effects of cannabis, what we do know now is that it can at least help fight cancer by being part of more conventional cancer treatment methods, as the two most effective and prevalent cancer treatments – chemotherapy and radiotherapy are well known for causing a whole slew of negative side effects that cannabis use can help remedy.