New research finds that marijuana use has risen among both cancer patients and the general population, but state cannabis laws may not be a key factor behind the increase.
A study published in Supportive Care in Cancer by researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center analyzed data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study over a six-year period. The study tracked cannabis use among people with and without a cancer diagnosis, comparing usage trends across states with different marijuana laws—ranging from prohibition to medical or full legalization.
Among individuals without cancer, past-year marijuana use increased from 11.8% in 2013 to 18.6% in 2019. For those with a cancer diagnosis, use rose from 6.6% to 10.6% over the same period—a roughly 60% increase, albeit from a lower baseline.
The study found that marijuana use was highest in states that had legalized recreational use. However, individuals with cancer followed similar usage trends to those without, regardless of whether they lived in a state where marijuana was legal, medical-only, or prohibited.
“Trends in the prevalence of cannabis use among individuals with a cancer diagnosis mirrored trends in the population of individuals without cancer”, states researchers. “State cannabis policies appear not to be uniquely associated with cannabis use prevalence among people with a cancer diagnosis.”
