• Tzeela Cohen, Menachem Ben- Ezra, Shirly Yanai, Tal Oren-Azulay, Simon Wein, and Yaira Hamama-Raz.
• Palliative Care Service (T.C., S.Y., T.O.A., S.W.), Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel. Electronic address: tzeelacohen@yahoo.com.
• J Pain Symptom Manage. 2023 Sep 1; 66 (3): 203211.e1203-211.e1.

ContextDemand for medical cannabis (MC) is growing among Israeli patients with cancer.ObjectivesThe study sought to assess factors contributing to the demand for MC among patients with cancer.MethodsPatients applying for a permit to receive MC at a pain and palliative clinic of a university-affiliated cancer center in Israel in 2020-2021 were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing attitudes, knowledge, and expectations regarding MC use. Findings were compared between first-time and repeat applicants. Repeat applicants were asked to report their indications for requesting MC, patterns of use, and treatment effect.ResultsThe cohort included 146 patients: 63 first-time applicants and 83 repeat applicants. First-time applicants were more likely to consult sources other than their oncologist for MC-related information (P < 0.01) and expressed more concern about addiction (P < 0.001) and side effects (P < 0.05). They often erroneously assumed the treatment was subsidized (P < 0.001). Repeat applicants were younger (P < 0.05) and included more smokers (P < 0.05) and recreational cannabis users (P < 0.05); 56.6% were cancer survivors and 78% used high-potency MC. Most patients believed to some degree that MC is more effective than conventional medications for symptom control, and over half thought that MC helps to cure cancer.ConclusionMisconceptions regarding the effectiveness of MC for symptom management and treatment may explain the motivation of patients with cancer to apply for a permit. There seems to be an association of young age, cigarette smoking, and recreational cannabis use with ongoing use of MC among cancer survivors.Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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