Medical Marijuana

Moderators

Check out the new page in the main Breastcancer.org site's Complementary and Holistic Medicine section on Medical Marijuana to learn:

• What medical marijuana is
• What medical marijuana is used for
• What to expect when using medical marijuana
• Important things to consider before using medical marijuana

We appreciate your feedback here on this thread, or by using the "Was this article helpful Yes/No" link at the bottom of every article.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

Edited by Mods to fix link.

LoriCA

This is what I get when I click the link:

Oh Dear!

The web page that you requested cannot be found on this server.

You can probably find what you want at the Breastcancer.org homepage.

Please contact us if you have any questions, or to report a problem.

If you typed in the address by hand or clicked a link from your email program, please make sure that the address contains no extra spaces or missing characters.

Moderators

So sorry about that, Lori! The link has been fixed now. Thanks for alerting us!

ksusan

I appreciate the article and would appreciate further BCO input on

• THC use with ER+ BC.
• Whether 100% CBD (no THC) has demonstrated efficacy.

Meg101

Great topic! I've been reading about medical marijuana and it's use for pain during treatment with Aromatase Inhibitors.

LoriCA

I agree ksusan, would like to hear more on those two topics but I'm afraid that since it is still federally illegal there hasn't been much done in the way of valid studies on the use of MMJ in the US, outside of those in the industry who have a vested interest in the results. Since I live in a state where it is legal for medicinal and recreational use I've been experimenting a bit for pain and insomnia. All of my research says a minimum of 2:1 CBD to THC for pain, and that ER+ women should minimize their use of THC because it's estrogenic but I don't know if that's "real" science, much like the debate over ER+ women and soy. I'm not interested in getting high anyway (been there done that when I was kid, these days it just makes me paranoid) so I've been sticking with products with a high percentage of CBD.

What really worries me is that my 75 year old mother, who lives in a state where CBD is not legal unless one has doctor's okay for an approved condition, has been buying something called "cannabis oil" over the internet. She has no idea the percentage of THC/CBD, and if they are selling it over the internet I'm betting that it's actually hemp oil, which has an extremely low percentage of both THC and CBD (CBD typically less than 25 parts per million in hemp oil, up to 15% in true CBD oil) and any benefit she is perceives is due to a placebo effect.

There are too many companies taking advantage of people who don't know better and there's not nearly enough educational material available outside the industry itself, so buyer beware and don't waste your money on anything that doesn't clearly state the THC and CBD percentages. Thankfully here in California everything is clearly marked as to whether or not it's been tested and every product lists the amount & percentage of CBD, CBN, and THC.

McButterfly

Hi, LoriCA and all, I live in British Columbia, where cannibus has been "practically" legal for many years. It will become federally legal here this October. I've been using an exclusively CBD oil made from a high quality, organic hemp. I usually buy it at the dispensary but I see it can be ordered online, too. They use no solvents to extract the oil, only CO2, and so all of the good parts of the plant are in tact. In the past month since using this product, I have been able to stop taklng tramacet (except for ½ tab at night). Once I got the dosage right, it really started making a difference. Any good product should have dosage information on the package. I also take a little bit of THC oil to help activate it and have no experience of gettlng high with this combo. At first I wasn't taking enough and it had no effect, so it's important to follow recommended dosage.

Love to you all,

Angela

ksusan

I don't eat anything. This is the CBD cream I use on my port scar: https://www.sagelynaturals.com/collections/relief-recovery/products/relief-recovery-cream

Tigerlily318

Hi all, I have a question regarding hemp. It's not THC or CBD, but it comes from the same plant. Any concern with hemp protein and estrogen based cancers? I know that estrogen based cancers should not take or have to be careful with THC. I can't find anything out there, but trying to confirm. TIA.

Moderators

Hi Tigerlily,

Here are the few articles we can offer you to read, though we do not have any specifics on this, and it would be a good question for your doctor.

Dr. Weiss, our Founder wrote a column some time ago that talked about hemp milk: https://community.breastcancer.org/livegreen/plant..

If it's the isoflavones in hemp protein that concerns you, we do have some content on soy, which has the same kind of protein that mimics estrogen. Dr. Weiss says the research is also unclear in this piece: The Soy Question.

Warmly, The Mods

Tigerlily318

Hi, thank you! I cannot find anything that says there are isoflavones inhemp. Did I misread the post and information? Thank you!

Jesse0907

How do you find a medical marijuana doctor? Do you just go to a medical dispensary? Researching for my sister. We live in Maryland near DC. My sis-In-law out in CO used Harmonia hash oil and CBD and said it helped her sleep soundly.

Moderators

Jesse0907, welcome to Breastcancer.org!

You're sure to get some helpful responses here shortly, but we wanted to also point you to the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Medical Marijuana. It seems as though your sister will need to get a prescription from her doctor first, then go to the dispensary to get the appropriate dose/strain.

We hope this helps her find some relief!

--The Mods

exbrnxgrl

Jesse,

Do you live in a state that has legal cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes? If you live in a recreationally legal state, then you don't need any doctor recommendations to purchase cannabis (However, those with medical recommendations may be allowed to purchase greater quantities daily and avoid some taxes. Again check your state's laws). If you need a medical recommendation, start by asking your own doctor, who may be able to do it herself or refer you to someone who can. You can also check with your county health department or ask your local cannabis dispensary for recommendations.

Here is a link to a more current thread about cannabis:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topics/874792?page=2#top

If you don’t live in a legal state, then your only choice may be purchasing on the street, which I would not recommend . Check out the other thread and don’t hesitate to ask anything,

Jelson

Here is a map from the National Conference of State Legislatures describing the status of states' marijuana legislation https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx In those states with medical marijuana programs, google "state name" medical marijuana to find its particulars/process. NYs process was insanely difficult at the outset and the eligible diagnoses very restrictive, but that has loosened up over the years. So, if you investigated a state's program awhile ago and were discouraged, it is good to check back.

Jettie

Jesse,

you could also try here for more information and registered doctors https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/medical-marijuana/md/

Anonymous

Arizona is a medical marijuana state. I had a card 3 years ago that allowed me to go to the green pharm and buy edibles to treat anxiety. You do need a doctor's okay and fill out necessary state paperwork to purchase medical marijuana. In Arizona, that means you have to get the official state form signed by a doctor (I got my oncologist to do that for me) and submit it online with a copy of your photo i.d. and $150, and the state forms. The license (similar to a d.l) is good for a year. At least here in Arizona, you can only qualify for a card to purchase legally if you've been dx with particular health problems, like cancer, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, etc.

https://www.leafly.com/news/health/qualifying-conditions-for-medical-marijuana-by-state

In a recreational state like Colorado, you can simply walk into a green pharm and purchase whatever you want, assisted by the knowledgeable bud tenders. But you still have to show a photo id and can't just walk into the store like it's a convenience store.

Jesse0907

hi, thanks for the info. Yes we live in MD so it’s a medical marijuana state. I was just curious as to how to find someone but seems like it’s a personal thing. My sister is the one with the breast cancer diagnosis so I wanted to do some research for her. She has anxiety and sleep troubles. She’ll have to get a card and figure out her own marijuana cocktail I guess.

exbrnxgrl

Jesse0907,

It’s really very easy to find a doctor who can confirm that a patient is eligible for a medical card. Again, a quick call to her county health department or maybe even the dispensary should yield the names of providers who do these evaluations. Your sister can then use the assistance of the bud tenders, well trained and knowledgeable, to determine what product might best suit her needs. Yes, it will include a doctors appointment* but in a legal state, medical cannabis cards are not difficult to obtain but she will have to be the one to go through the process. From personal experience I can say that it has been worth it and has kept me away from stronger pharmaceuticals.

* My initial medical evaluation was done via video appointment (years before Covid19!). This may be available in your state as well.

Anonymous

I would think that her oncologist would be willing to work with her and fill out the necessary forms. Good luck!

exbrnxgrl

claireinaz,

It really depends on the state. In CA, at least in my county, only certain docs do evaluations for medical cannabis. A social worker at my mo’s office referred me to a doctor who does evaluations