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Cancer Cannabis Research Symposium

The National Cancer Institute Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cancer Research Symposium

Overview

The use of cannabis and its constituents for medical and recreational purposes has increased in the United States. However, research on the harms and benefits of cannabis are limited. A 2019 survey estimated that 48.2 million US individuals aged 12 years and older had used cannabis in the past year, an increase of 87% from the 2002 figure. [1] State policies regulating cannabis and its constituents vary widely. [2] In addition, the methods of delivery of cannabis have evolved over time. This includes edibles, oils, tinctures, topicals, and inhaled forms.

The National Cancer Institute Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cancer Research Symposium took place virtually on December 15-18, 2020. It was organized and implemented by the Cannabis and Cancer Interest Group (CCRIG) at the NCI. The workshop highlighted the state of the science in cannabis, its chemical constituents (e.g., cannabinoids) and cancer research, including cancer epidemiology, use in cancer patients, cancer biology and prevention, pre-clinical and clinical cancer symptom and treatment side-effect management, as well as the use of cannabis and cannabinoids as cancer therapeutics. The workshop also addressed current barriers to research as well as strategies to navigate these hurdles to ensure feasibility of rigorous studies designed to address gaps in knowledge as well as potential research opportunities in cannabis cancer-related research.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed funding opportunity announcements to address some of recommendations from the 2020 workshop. This includes a Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Basic Mechanisms of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Action in Cancer – expires May 8, 2027 (NOFO number: NOT-CA-22-085) and a Request for Application (RFA) titled Cannabis and Cannabinoids Use in Adult Patients During Active Treatment: Assessing Benefits and Harms was developed with applications due by February 17, 2023.

The following articles were published following the workshop in 2020:

  • Ellison GL, Alejandro Salicrup L, Freedman AN, Fu Y, Ross S, Johnson RL, Bakos A, White JD. The National Cancer Institute and Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research. JNCI Monographs. 2021 Nov 28;2021(58):35-38.
  • Helzlsouer KJ, Rosenfield SM, Freedman AN. Overview of Cancer Patient Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Treatment. JNCI Monographs. 2024 Aug; 2021(66): 199-201.

Selected References

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. HHS Publication No. PEP20- 07-01-001, NSDUH Series H-55. https://www.samhsa.gov/data. 2020

  2. Haffajee RL, MacCoun RJ, Mello MM.  Behind schedule—reconciling federal and state marijuana policy. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(6):501–504.

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