The Declaration
Cannabis for Cancer
Cannabis has been used as a medicine by humanity for thousands of years. Numerous medical reviews have confirmed it is a remarkably safe herb with no human deaths conclusively attributed to it1. Over the past several years, medicinal use of cannabis has increased tremendously, largely due to its use for rare, intractable forms of epilepsy, as well as for treating various types of cancer. Many children experienced significant or even complete relief from seizures when even the most powerful pharmaceuticals failed. This effectiveness led to the approval2 of the first FDA-approved cannabis medicine, Epidiolex, which passed all rigorous trials required to prove safety and efficacy. Events and studies leading to the use of cannabis to treat epilepsy provide context for applications with cancer and thus warrant discussion.
Cannabis for Epilepsy – An Example of How Preclinical Studies Translate to Humans
As with most successful cannabis applications in humans, its use for epilepsy started out as reports within communities and the media. The first major documentary, titled Weed, was released by Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN in August 2013. It shared the story of Charlotte Figi3, a young girl who struggled with over a thousand seizures each month. Charlotte had Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy caused primarily by gene mutations that interfere with brain function. No pharmaceutical medications could control Charlotte’s 300 grand mal seizures each week. After her very first dose of a cannabidiol (CBD)-rich cannabis oil, her seizures stopped. Ultimately, their incidence decreased to about three times per month, occurring mostly in her sleep.
While Charlotte tragically passed away4 in April 2020 from suspected complications of the coronavirus, her story and experiences will help and inspire countless people for years to come. Thousands of other children with intractable forms of epilepsy have now benefited from cannabis medicine, in part due to the publicity of Charlotte’s case.
Preclinical evidence pointed to antiseizure effects of CBD as early as 19775. This and later studies administered toxic chemicals to rats and mice to induce seizures, and found that when CBD was administered, the seizures reduced. This evidence does not strongly support the use of CBD for conditions like Dravet syndrome, which causes far more complex seizures than those induced chemically in the animal studies. Despite this, CBD-rich oil still demonstrated profound efficacy, illustrating a concrete example where preclinical evidence translated better than expected to humans.
The Scientific Evidence Supports Cannabis as a Primary Cancer Treatment
Just as with epilepsy, another group has benefited tremendously from medical cannabis – cancer patients. Most people know cannabis can alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, especially nausea and lack of appetite. However, there is also strong evidence cannabis can directly fight cancer by inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells, limiting metastasis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and stopping the growth of blood vessels to tumors. Specifically, the primary plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD have been shown in cell and animal studies to confer the previously mentioned effects in most major cancers, including brain6, breast7, colon8, liver9, lung10, prostate11, pancreatic12, skin13, and other cancers. Despite this encouraging research, hundreds of natural and synthetic compounds fight cancer in the lab but don’t work in humans, so what makes cannabis different?
For one, there is now an established example where dramatic preclinical evidence has translated to humans – epilepsy. As stated, the preclinical evidence supporting use in epileptic conditions is relatively weak because the seizure models are simpler than what happens in humans. The preclinical evidence for cancer appears stronger for several reasons. First, many studies used human cancer cell lines and found that cannabinoids selectively killed cancer cells while leaving healthy cells not only unharmed but often protected. Furthermore, our own self-made endocannabinoids like anandamide are also shown to fight cancer14 through similar mechanisms as THC and CBD, mainly by activating cannabinoid receptors. Since all humans, and vertebrates in general, possess endocannabinoids with similar anticancer effects as phytocannabinoids, it makes far more sense that cannabis would indeed work in humans.
The Human Evidence Supports Cannabis as a Primary Cancer Treatment
For over the past decade, at least hundreds of people from around the world have claimed that high doses of cannabinoids can put various cancers into remission, including terminally diagnosed cancers. These stories have been reported by local affiliates of news stations like Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, and more. They have also been reported by doctors, caregivers, dispensaries, and even corporations.
Just like epilepsy, what started out as stories from ordinary people is now being confirmed at higher levels. On February 7, 2017, GW Pharmaceuticals announced results from their Phase II placebo-controlled trial15 examining the use of THC and CBD in addition to temozolomide chemotherapy treatment for glioblastoma brain tumors, which are particularly aggressive. The trial split 21 patients into two groups, those receiving chemotherapy and a placebo and those receiving chemotherapy and THC:CBD. The dose was not specified, but based on previous trials by GW was probably less than 50mg per day. “The study showed that patients with documented recurrent GBM treated with THC:CBD had an 83 percent one year survival rate compared with 53 percent for patients in the placebo cohort (p=0.042). Median survival for the THC:CBD group was greater than 550 days compared with 369 days in the placebo group”.
“The findings from this well-designed controlled study suggest that the addition of a combination of THC and CBD to patients on dose-intensive temozolomide produced relevant improvements in survival compared with placebo and this is a good signal of potential efficacy,” said Professor Susan Short, PhD, Professor of Clinical Oncology and Neuro-Oncology at Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology at St James’s University Hospital and principal investigator of the study. “Moreover, the cannabinoid medicine was generally well tolerated. These promising results are of particular interest as the pharmacology of the THC:CBD product appears to be distinct from existing oncology medications and may offer a unique and possibly synergistic option for future glioma treatment.“
This finding is completely in line with the massive existing anecdotal evidence. The vast majority of patients have used far higher doses than what was administered in this trial, which would reasonably result in even better results. Indeed, many preclinical studies show a dose-dependent relationship between cannabinoids and cancer cell death, with higher doses having a greater anticancer effect.
Due to the potential for efficacy, GW Pharmaceuticals has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the United States Food and Drug Administration16 (FDA), as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA), for THC:CBD in the treatment of glioma. While ODD status is essentially a special title that affords tax benefits to support required clinical trials, there still must be solid scientific rationale for it to be granted. Therefore, government regulatory agencies have offered a form of support to explore the direct use of cannabis for the treatment of an aggressive cancer.
Many of the signatories of this document have personally witnessed cancer remissions in which medical cannabis was likely the driving or primary supporting factor. The chances that all of these observations are due to spontaneous remission, the placebo effect, or other random factors are astronomical, and dismissing them as such is dangerous and incongruent with the weight of the scientific evidence.
The prohibition of medical cannabis has resulted in enormous, ongoing harm for thousands of families. Patients who live in states or countries without medical cannabis laws must risk arrest and potential imprisonment for simply trying to save their own or family member’s lives. Worse, many patients are scammed with fake cannabis oils that are completely absent of cannabinoids and contaminated with toxins. Unless prohibition is rescinded worldwide, cancer patients will continue to have their lives destroyed both by false products and lack of affordable access.
Call to Action – Allow Cancer Patients to Access Cannabis Medicine
We hereby demand immediate access of cannabis medicine for cancer patients who choose to use it. We strongly suggest allowing insurance to cover these medicines or the development of programs to help cover costs for patients in need. We support organic cannabis medicines free of pesticides and other contaminants. These medicines must be lab-tested to confirm safety as well as cannabinoid levels, as this is the only way to ensure proper dosing. We support additional clinical trials to determine the full extent and limits of the anticancer action of cannabis. We support cannabis education for medical professionals throughout the world, so they can discuss this topic effectively with patients.
This document should in no way be interpreted to dismiss the importance of conventional medicine or the necessity of medical oversight. Indeed, most of the signatories here are medical doctors or pharmacists. We do not recommend foregoing conventional treatment for cannabis medicine, as it is clearly not an effective therapy in all cases. It is absolutely essential for all patients to be under a doctor’s supervision. With such supervision, any potential problems can be alleviated through medical intervention. Cannabis can be integrated as a complementary treatment along with chemotherapy or radiation. However, in cases where patients cannot use conventional treatments for various reasons, cannabis extracts offer a final hope as a sole treatment.
1. “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.” NAP.edu. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, January 2017. https://www.nap.edu/resource/24625/Cannabis_committee_conclusions.pdf
2. “FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy.” FDA.gov. United States Food and Drug Administration, 25 Jun. 2018. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
3. Young, Sandra. “Marijuana Stops Child’s Severe Seizures.” CNN.com. CNN, 7 Aug. 2013. http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana
4. Garcia, Sandra E. “Charlotte Figi, Who Helped Popularize CBD for Medical Use, Dies at 13.” NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 9 Apr. 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/us/charlotte-figi-dead.html
5. Consroe, P, and A Wolkin. “Cannabidiol–antiepileptic Drug Comparisons and Interactions in Experimentally Induced Seizures in Rats.” The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 201.1 (1977): 26-32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/850145
6. Sánchez, Cristina, Ismael Galve-Roperh, Cecile Canova, Philippe Brachet, Manuel Guzmán. “Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Induces Apoptosis in C6 Glioma Cells.” FEBS Letters 436.1 (1998): 6-10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9771884
7.Shrivastava, A, PM Kuzontkoski, JE Groopman, and A Prasad. “Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Coordinating the Cross-Talk Between Apoptosis and Autophagy.” Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 10.7 (2011): 1161-1172. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21566064
8. Aviello, G, B Romano, F Borrelli, R Capasso, L Gallo, et al. “Chemopreventive Effect of the Non-Psychotropic Phytocannabinoid Cannabidiol on Experimental Colon Cancer.” Journal of Molecular Medicine 90.8 (2012): 925-934. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22231745
9. Vara, D, M Salazar, N Olea-Herrero, M Guzmán, G Velasco, and I Díaz-Laviada. “Anti-Tumoral Action of Cannabinoids on Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of AMPK-Dependent Activation of Autophagy.” Cell Death and Differentiation 18.7 (2011): 1099-1111. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21475304
10. Ramer, Robert, Katharina Heinemann, Jutta Merkord, Helga Rohde, Achim Salamon, et al. “COX-2 and PPAR-γ Confer Cannabidiol-Induced Apoptosis of Human Lung Cancer Cells.” Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 12.1 (2013): 69-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23220503
11. Ruiz, L, A Miguel, and I Díaz-Laviada. “Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Induces Apoptosis in Human Prostate PC-3 Cells via a Receptor-Independent Mechanism.” FEBS Letters 458.3 (1999): 400-404. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10570948
12. Carracedo, A, M Gironella, M Lorente, S Garcia, M Guzmán, et al. “Cannabinoids Induce Apoptosis of Pancreatic Tumor Cells via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes.” Cancer Research 66.13 (2006): 6748-6755. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16818650
13. Armstrong, JL, DS Hill, CS McKee, S Hernandez-Tiedra, M Lorente, et al. “Exploiting Cannabinoid-Induced Cytotoxic Autophagy to Drive Melanoma Cell Death.” The Journal of Investigative Dermatology 135.6 (2015): 1629-1637. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25674907
14. Mimeault, M, N Pommery, N Wattez, C Bailly, and JP Hénichart. “Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Anandamide in Human Prostatic Cancer Cell Lines: Implication of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Down-Regulation and Ceramide Production.” Prostate 56.1 (2003): 1-12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12746841
15. “GW Pharmaceuticals Achieves Positive Results in Phase 2 Proof of Concept Study in Glioma.” GWPharm.com. GW Pharmaceuticals, 7 Feb. 2017. https://www.gwpharm.com/about-us/news/gw-pharmaceuticals-achieves-positive-results-phase-2-proof-concept-study-glioma
16. “Search Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals.” FDA.gov. United States Food and Drug Administration, 3 Dec. 2015. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=498215