# Leveraging NCI’s Collaborative Efforts to Understand Cannabis Use in Cancer > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-cancer-benefits-harms-nci-collaborative/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T08:02:20-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:02:59-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabis use cancer benefits harms through NCI’s collaborative research on symptom management and patient outcomes in cancer care. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #84High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Journal of the National Cancer Institute Study Type Observational Study Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary [Cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) for symptom management among patients with cancer has increased significantly in recent years, with many reporting benefits for pain, anxiety, sleep, nausea, appetite as well as other symptoms. However, rigorous prospective data on the potential benefits and harms of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) in this population are lacking. This Commentary describes a United States National Cancer Institute (NCI)-led initiative addressing this [research gap](https://cedclinic.com/mental-health-research-gap-cannabis-treatment-evidence/) by supporting five prospective observational studies evaluating the benefits and harms of cannabis use among a large, heterogeneous samples of patients with cancer undergoing active systemic treatment. We provide an overview of each study, including cancer type, treatment modalities, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data collection methods, and both patient-reported and cancer-related outcomes. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Leveraging%20the%20national%20cancer%20institute%E2%80%99s%20collaborative%20efforts%20to%20understand%20the%20benefits%20and%20harm...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fleveraging-the-national-cancer-institute-s-collaborative-efforts-to-underst%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fleveraging-the-national-cancer-institute-s-collaborative-efforts-to-underst%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Leveraging%20the%20national%20cancer%20institute%E2%80%99s%20collaborative%20efforts%20to%20understand%20the%20benefits%20and%20harm...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fleveraging-the-national-cancer-institute-s-collaborative-efforts-to-underst%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41746285/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41746285/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Why are people with cancer using cannabis?](#Why_are_people_with_cancer_using_cannabis) - [Is there good research on the benefits and harms of cannabis in cancer?](#Is_there_good_research_on_the_benefits_and_harms_of_cannabis_in_cancer) - [What is the National Cancer Institute doing to study cannabis in cancer?](#What_is_the_National_Cancer_Institute_doing_to_study_cannabis_in_cancer) - [What information does the commentary give about each NCI-supported study?](#What_information_does_the_commentary_give_about_each_NCI-supported_study) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### Why are people with cancer using cannabis? Many patients with cancer use cannabis for symptom management, and this use has increased significantly in recent years. Patients report benefits for pain, anxiety, sleep, nausea, appetite, and other symptoms. These are benefits that patients themselves describe. ### Is there good research on the benefits and harms of cannabis in cancer? Not yet. The commentary states that rigorous prospective data on the potential benefits and harms of cannabis use among patients with cancer are lacking, even though use for symptom management has grown. This [research gap](https://cedclinic.com/mental-health-research-gap-cannabis-treatment-evidence/) is what the National Cancer Institute initiative described in the commentary aims to address. ### What is the National Cancer Institute doing to study cannabis in cancer? The NCI is leading an initiative that supports five prospective observational studies. These studies evaluate the benefits and harms of cannabis use in large, heterogeneous samples of patients with cancer who are undergoing active systemic treatment. The initiative is described in a commentary published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. ### What information does the commentary give about each NCI-supported study? The commentary provides an overview of each of the five studies. It covers the cancer types studied, treatment modalities, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data collection methods, and both patient-reported and cancer-related outcomes. The article summary does not report results from these studies. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabis Helps with Nausea and Anxiety During Cancer Treatment](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-nausea-anxiety-cancer-treatment-insights/) Explore patient experiences and evidence on cannabis use for managing nausea and anxiety in cancer care. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-nausea-anxiety-cancer-treatment-insights/) [Medical Cannabis Reduced Use of Opioids and Other Prescription Drugs](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) Review findings on how [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) may help reduce reliance on opioids among patients. [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) [Preoperative Cannabis Use and Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) Understand the implications of cannabis use before surgery in older cancer patients. [Explore Insights](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).