Medical cannabis in the UK and the industry’s future
Despite the evidence of the growing potential of the cannabis industry and wider acceptance, the domestic distribution of medical cannabis remains low.
Despite the evidence of the growing potential of the cannabis industry and wider acceptance, the domestic distribution of medical cannabis remains low.
The market for medical cannabis has been growing steadily over the last decade, but it may be on the cusp of a breakthrough in oncology.
Medical marijuana is increasingly prescribed as an analgesic for a growing number of indications, amongst which terminal cancer and multiple sclerosis. However, the mechanistic aspects and properties of cannabis remain remarkably poorly characterized. In this study we aimed to investigate the immune-cell modulatory properties of medical cannabis. Results were related to both short term and long term effects in patients experimentally treated with a medical marijuana preparation for suffering from abdominal pain as a result of chronic pancreatitis or other causes.
This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of health professionals toward the use of medicinal cannabis as part of the management of patients with cancer. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous survey, emailed out to health professionals at a public metropolitan hospital in Australia. The results show that health professionals feel insufficiently informed about access to, and use of, medicinal cannabis as part of cancer management. More information and education are required for health professionals to consider medicinal cannabis as part of care provided to their patients with cancer.
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is legal either medicinally or recreationally in 29 states and the District of Columbia, with a majority of the U.S. adult population now living in states where cannabis is legal for medicinal use. As an advocate for patient autonomy and informed choice, the oncology nurse has an ethical responsibility to educate patients about and support their use of cannabis for palliation.
Background Although almost every state medical marijuana (MM) law identifies cancer as a qualifying condition, little research supports MM’s use in oncology. Oncologists’ beliefs, knowledge, and practices regarding MM were examined in this study. Although 70% of oncologists do not feel equipped to make clinical recommendations regarding MM, the vast majority conduct discussions with patients about MM and nearly one-half do, in fact, recommend it clinically. A majority believes MM is useful for certain indications.