In 2018 at the advice of a friend, I went to hear a local physician give a presentation on cannabis. The audience was a group of cancer survivors, caregivers and the like. I took my seat and listened while the doctor, a rheumatologist, described the history of cannabis, its use in various cultures, and the surmised mechanism of action. He noted that the illegal status enabled the existing power structures to discriminate against non-White communities.
While he admitted that extensive anecdotal evidence demonstrated efficacy against cancer, he refused to provide anything like an endorsement for using cannabis citing the lack of clinical double-blind studies. A questioner arose, pointed to the audience, and asked the good doctor if they could wait 10-20 years until the Federal Government authorized such studies? With admirable composure, the doctor pointed to his associate and suggested that those who had such an interest could register and possibly gain assistance.
His associate represented an Israeli research company. Signing up meant that the company would gather the patient’s information. Where appropriate, the patient was referred to a dispensary in Santa Ana, and their progress logged. Unfortunately, California law forbids the sale of THC in amounts exceeding 10 mg per serving. The amounts of THC needed to affect cancer often exceeds this limit by 10 to 100 times.
Research on the efficacy of THC on cancer remains at a standstill in the United States because of the DEA’s Schedule 1 designation for THC. However, Spain, Italy, and Israel have performed numerous studies. These studies have demonstrated the ability of THC and cannabinoid extracts to kill various cancer cell lines in vitro. Fortunately, the US and many other countries are poised to decriminalize cannabis and lift the restrictions that have stopped cancer research up until now. We may wonder how many millions of lives would have been saved if cannabis had been included in the War on Cancer.
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