Medical Marijuana for Mesothelioma

Medical marijuana for mesothelioma and other cancers is a growing area of study. Cannabis may provide patients with relief from symptoms and treatment side effects and improve their quality of life.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more. 

What Is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is medicine made from the plant Cannabis sativa. Also known as cannabis, marijuana is legal for medical use in many states but is still a controlled substance at the federal level.

Although numerous people have reported relief after using medical marijuana, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet recognized it as a medicine.

Marijuana’s Beneficial Compounds

Cannabis contains more than 400 chemicals, but its two main active ingredients for medical treatment are THC and CBD. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the ingredient found in marijuana that causes people to feel a “high.” Yet, it’s also been shown to improve appetite and suppress nausea.

CBD, or cannabidiol, doesn’t produce a high feeling, but it helps relieve pain, among numerous other benefits.

According to Dr. Barth Wilsey of the University of California in Davis, pain is often the primary reason most people seek out medical marijuana. The pain ranges from anything as minor as a headache to something as severe as mesothelioma cancer.

Further,  Laura Borgelt, PharmD, of the University of Colorado’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, stated that the chemicals in marijuana help the already natural chemicals that our bodies produce, which helps reduce pain.

How Does Medical Marijuana Help With Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma patients suffer from a range of different side effects, both from the disease itself and from the effects of aggressive treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

In numerous clinical trials that studied mesothelioma patients who used medical marijuana, patients not only experienced pain relief but also:

• A decrease in nausea
• Better sleep quality
• An increased appetite
• Diminished anxiety
• Improved food intake for IV patients (when smoked)

As with most medical treatments, marijuana has its own side effects, but the participants in the studies indicated that their side effects were mild. The most common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Feeling paranoid
• Food digestion issues (slower to digest food)
• Red eyes
• Increased heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Hallucinations
• Cotton mouth (dry mouth)

CBD Oil

CBD oil is becoming increasingly popular as more research details the tremendous benefits it brings, not only to patients with mesothelioma but to children with severe epilepsy and other painful disorders that traditional medication hasn’t helped.

CBD oil uses non-intoxicating cannabis as an oil-based medication that’s said to treat several ailments, including cancer. A number of mesothelioma patients reported great success in battling pain after using CBD oil.

There are still relatively few studies on adults with mesothelioma and CBD oil. However, several studies show it would work as a treatment for lung cancer in general.

Scientific Studies on CBD Oil

In 2007, Harvard University scientists studied CBD oil and cancer and determined that cannabidiol stops epithelial growth in lung cancer cell migration.

In 2011, Harvard researchers performed another study, which determined that cannabinoids can indeed be used to treat lung cancer.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) published an article entitled “Marijuana and Cancer,” which backed the findings. The story claimed that “certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce the spread of some forms of cancer.”

CBD oil can be taken by simply adding drops onto your tongue and swallowing. There’s no conclusive study to determine how many drops to take or how many times per day, but research indicates that it more likely depends on each person’s health makeup.

It can also be used in a vape pen or by adding it to recipes, but it’s recommended that you talk to your doctor beforehand.

In 2012, two scientists from San Francisco’s California Pacific Medical Center found that the CBD compound can stop malignant growth in numerous types of cancer. According to one of the scientists involved in the study, Pierre Desprez:

“What we found was that his Cannabidiol could essentially ‘turn off’ the ID-1……We started by researching breast cancer. But now we’ve found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive cancers—brain, prostate—any kind in which these high levels of ID-1 are present.”

ID-1 is a gene found in the body that causes cancer to metastasize.

Medical Marijuana Legal Limitations

Each state has its own set of laws, and some states require that you obtain a medical card from your physician before using marijuana. Most states now allow medical marijuana use with varying regulations and restrictions.

The following states have comprehensive or regulated programs for adults:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia

States that allow medical marijuana with CBD and only low levels of THC include:

• Georgia
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The only states without a medical marijuana program are Idaho, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Key Points to Remember About Medical Marijuana

• Using cannabis to treat pain isn’t new. It actually dates back to more than 3,000 years ago.
• Cannabis is considered a controlled substance in the U.S., but many states allow its use with a prescription for it and via doctor recommendation.
• Medical marijuana can be inhaled, taken by mouth, or in the spray form.
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) confirms that medical marijuana can assist cancer patients with painful side effects of traditional treatment options.
• Cannabis has been proven to kill cancer cells and promote anti-tumor activity.
• There is still not enough evidence to suggest whether inhaling medical marijuana is better than ingesting, and vice versa.
• Medical marijuana comes with side effects, though most report that the effects were minor.
• Cannabis is not yet approved by the FDA for cancer treatment, therefore it remains a complementary and alternative form of treatment.
• Animal studies have shown that delta-9-THC can increase appetite and decrease nausea.
• Animal studies have also shown that medical marijuana can decrease nerve problems, reducing pain, tingling, swelling, and numbness.

Additional Help and Resources for Mesothelioma Victims

Keep in mind that you may qualify for significant compensation if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer, or asbestosis. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.