Supporting Evidence

The following points summarize the evidence showing how cannabis fights cancer and may stimulate people and potentially governments to pursue more information or take action.

1. Dozens of studies show that the primary cannabinoid compounds in cannabis, THC and CBD, kill virtually every major type of cancer in cell and animal studies. A comprehensive list can be found on the Cancer Studies page. In many of these studies, the cannabinoids only target the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected, indicating a selective anticancer action. While promising, these limited studies do not directly apply to living humans, and extrapolation of preclinical research is based on further evidence.

2. Many studies demonstrate that endocannabinoid compounds produced naturally in all mammals have anticancer effects largely driven by activation of the cannabinoid receptors. THC, and to a lesser extent CBD, also fight cancer via activation of cannabinoid receptors. The fact that human endocannabinoids and plant phytocannabinoids have similar anticancer properties makes it much more likely the preclinical effects would work in humans.

3. The translation of very promising preclinical efficacy to human efficacy has been demonstrated in another set of complex disease states  – epileptic conditions. Preclinical studies have shown CBD has anti-epileptic properties, and later double-blind human studies confirmed CBD reduced seizures in humans with Dravet syndrome. Moreover, the preclinical studies generally use chemical models of seizures, which are simpler than the genetically-driven seizures in Dravet syndrome patients. In essence, CBD is working against seizures better than the preclinical evidence suggests. Therefore it is more likely other preclinical effects, like against cancer, would work in humans.

4. Humans have been reporting anticancer effects with high doses of cannabis extracts for at least 10 years. These stories have been reported on affiliates of major news stations like CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, and many local newspapers. Many stories feature comments by doctors stating the anticancer results are remarkable or beyond expectation. There are also now several cases published in formal medical journals, as well as a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial indicating anticancer effects against glioblastoma specifically. The quantity of stories, their details, and the supporting scientific support realistically eliminates any chance that every single story is false, coincidental, or the result of spontaneous remission. Many are listed on the Human Cases page.

5. There are numerous cannabis products that have been granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for the direct treatment of cancers. ODD is a framework meant to stimulate research into diseases affecting relatively small numbers of people. While ODD is not approval and just an initial step in drug development, there must be some legitimate evidence of safety and efficacy to justify the designation. Therefore, the fact that the FDA has granted ODD status to numerous cannabinoid drugs for cancer is a testament to the real potential of cannabinoids to fight cancer.

Benuvia Therapeutics – CBD designated on 09/24/2014 for treatment of glioma

GW Research Ltd. – CBD and THC designated on 12/3/2015 for treatment of glioma

AXIUM Pharmaceuticals – CBD and THC designated on 01/08/2018 for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Flavocure Biotech – Caflanone (a cannabis flavonoid) designated on 9/25/2019 for treatment of pancreatic cancer

6. Cannabis extract therapy does not work for every patient and there is currently no way to know who will respond and who will not. Much more research is required to identify the extent and limits of the anticancer properties. Patients should not forego conventional treatment for cannabis due to the uncertainties. While cannabis doesn’t work for everyone, it exhibits profound anticancer effects in enough people to warrant its use by willing patients.