Marijuana Can Help Counter Some of the Side Effects of Treatment, but be Cautious

Despite the political back and forth about whether marijuana should be legalized across the country, people have long been using pot for relief during cancer treatment. Many people find it helpful for side effects like nausea, loss of appetite, pain and even anxiety. “I have no problem with patients getting marijuana from a reputable, licensed source as long as patients are open with their physician about what they’re taking, and making sure it doesn’t interact with any clinical trial drug that they’re taking or any standard therapy,” says Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While open to her patients using pot, edibles are probably the preferred method, since Dr. Comen does note her concerns about possible damage to the lungs from smoking weed.

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