JOPHON NCPD (2025 Jan/Feb)Pediatric patient experiences using medical cannabis in cancer symptom management as reported by parents of children and adolescents and by young adults-JOPHON NCPD Jan/Feb 2025 Pediatric patient experiences using medical cannabis in cancer symptom management as reported by parents of children and adolescents and by young adults

JOPHON NCPD Jan/Feb 2025 Pediatric patient experiences using medical cannabis in cancer symptom management as reported by parents of children and adolescents and by young adults

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This descriptive survey study explored how pediatric cancer patients and young adults (YAs) used medical cannabis for cancer-related symptom management, as reported by 15 parents of patients under 18 and 9 YAs aged 18–25 who were certified for Minnesota’s medical cannabis program. Participants completed an anonymous 12-item survey about symptoms targeted, perceived benefits, forms used, and side effects.<br /><br />Among 64 eligible individuals, 24 responded (37.5% response rate). Most patients were referred within the first 6 months after diagnosis, and diagnoses were distributed across leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumors, and CNS tumors. After referral, 22 respondents obtained cannabis from the state medical cannabis pharmacy; one YA obtained cannabis elsewhere, and one parent did not pursue the pharmacy due to cost and instead used prescription dronabinol (Marinol).<br /><br />Nausea/vomiting was the primary qualifying symptom for referral (reported by 95.8%), followed by pain (41.7%) and weight loss (33.3%). Reported hoped-for benefits included nausea/vomiting relief (n=20), appetite improvement (n=15), pain relief (n=13), improved sadness/anxiety (n=7), better sleep (n=7), and—despite not being a referral indication—help treating cancer (n=5). Most respondents (83%) felt cannabis helped overall, most commonly for nausea/vomiting, appetite, pain, sadness/anxiety, and sleep; three reported perceived benefit for treating cancer.<br /><br />Forms varied by age: younger children more often used oral liquids, while many YAs used vapor products; smaller numbers used capsules, gummies, or sprays. Side effects were uncommon: 78% reported none, while 5 reported mental changes (e.g., confusion, difficulty concentrating, feeling “high,” emotionality; one YA described paranoia and hallucinations). The authors conclude medical cannabis may be a helpful adjuvant for some pediatric oncology symptoms but emphasize variable benefit, cost/access issues, limited evidence, and need for more rigorous trials.

Keywords

pediatric oncology

young adults

medical cannabis

cancer symptom management

nausea and vomiting

pain relief

appetite stimulation

Minnesota medical cannabis program

cannabis formulations (oral liquids, vapor)

side effects (mental changes)