Cancer Mythbusters: What to Know About Marijuana

Understanding Cancer | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

For thousands of years, marijuana—also known by names such as pot or weed—has been used for medicinal purposes. A psychoactive drug, marijuana is an illegal drug under U.S. federal law; however, some have legalized medical and recreational marijuana on their own, including Massachusetts, the home state of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. So where does marijuana come into play when it comes to treating cancer? And can it help patients manage cancer? We dive into these questions, and other common questions, myths, and misconceptions about marijuana and cancer, with Ilana Braun, MD, chief of Adult Psychosocial Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.