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cannapatientcare.com october 2022
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cannabis patient care
nurse focus
populations (6). The use of cannabis in these cases indicates
that it can be used in children in a safe and effective way with
minimal side effects and low risk of serious adverse events.
So, even though access to cannabis has greatly increased,
stigma is diminishing in most parts of the country, and physi-
cians and clinicians are beginning to recognize the potential
of cannabis treatment for children, there is still a long way to
go before cannabis becomes a preferred treatment. Physicians
and clinicians overwhelmingly prefer to have stronger clini-
cal evidence on therapeutic effects and clear empirical data
on any long-term impacts of cannabis use for pediatric can-
cer patients. So long as the US federal government continues
to regulate cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, the
much-needed research will continue to be mostly stymied.
In order for the promise of cannabis to be realized for pedi-
atric cancer patients, research and clinical trials must be con-
ducted with children. Cancer healthcare providers can lead the
charge by advocating for federal legalization and research fo-
cused on children. In addition, physicians and clinicians can rec-
ognize that while cannabis use is never appropriate for healthy
children, these are not the children in need. Sick children under-
going severe treatment with few options to help them feel better
are in great need, and if cannabis can help Leaf411 believes every
possible option must be considered. Working in tandem with
oncologists, physicians, and other providers, an approach that
includes cannabis treatment may make the difference between a
child merely surviving cancer treatment or thriving in spite of it.
References
(1) https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/pediatric-cancer-
providers-give-medical-marijuana-a-cautious-thumbs-up/.
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/.
PMC8954266/#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20promising%20preclinical%20
evidence%20showing,other%20populations%20of%20pediatric%20patients.
(3) https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/9/2/E563.
(4) https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/24625/
Cannabis_committee_conclusions.pdf.
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796497/.
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC8954266/#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20promising%20preclinical%20
evidence%20showing,other%20populations%20of%20pediatric%20patients.
about the author
KATHERINE GOLDEN is a registered nurse and
CEO, executive director, and founder of Leaf411, a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019
with a mission to provide education and direction-
al support to the general public about the safe and
effective use of cannabis (marijuana and hemp).
For more information or to schedule a consultation with a canna-
bis-certified nurse, call 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or visit leaf411.org.
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