QOLP-03. OBSERVATIONS OF COMPLEMENTARY CANNABIS THERAPY IN MALIGNANT GLIOMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION As of 5/15/2021, medical marijuana programs exist in 37 states, and marijuana is legal for recreational use in 17 states. In Connecticut, the CT Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was created in 2012 and I began certifying my patients with malignant glioma (brain cancer) for the program in 2014. I now provide data on my experience with complementary cannabis therapy. PART 1 Between 9/1/2014 and 6/1/2018, 23 patients with malignant glioma were registered in the CT MMP and received a card. Of these 23 patients, 15 patients took a daily cannabis oil supplement for at least 6 months during their treatment, and 7 patients used cannabis products only as needed. 3 patients are still alive, all in the daily cannabis oil group (41, 54 and 77 months). The median overall survival in the daily group was 22.0 months, versus 16.9 months in the as needed group. PART 2 Since 9/1/2014, 71 patients with malignant glioma were certified for the CT MMP. Of these 71 patients, 15 did not complete the patient registration process and did not receive a card for the MMP. As of 5/15/2021, of the 56 registered patients, there are 20 Active patients and 36 Inactive patients. Regarding the Inactive patients, 29 have died and 7 are alive but did not renew their card. Amongst Active patients, 4 are currently taking a daily cannabis oil supplement as a complementary therapy, and 16 are currently using cannabis products only as needed for symptoms. The 4 patients employing complementary therapy currently have a survival of 8, 31, 33, and 35 months. CONCLUSION In my experience, complementary cannabis treatment is well tolerated in malignant glioma patients, and can provide significant palliative benefit to treat insomnia and nausea. Serious adverse events attributed to cannabis products, or decreased survival, have not been observed.