UK medical cannabis for cancer-related pain, nausea, and vomiting in 2026
6 min read
Emily Ledger
Patients with cancer have long turned to medical cannabis, alongside conventional treatment options, for relief from a range of cancer-associated symptoms. This World Cancer Day, we’re taking a closer look at this potential, from medical cannabis for cancer-related pain to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Contents
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
Cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years, with some reports of use dating back to Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian societies. The scope of this use is extremely varied, ranging from an aid for pain to an ointment for wounds and a treatment for glaucoma. However, in the mid-19th century, increasing stigmatisation of the cannabis plant and those who consumed it led to an almost worldwide prohibition.
Thankfully, this wasn’t to last. In the UK, cannabis was moved from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act in November 2018. This change allowed for specialist doctors working with private medical cannabis clinics to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products, including medical cannabis flower, medical cannabis oil, and THC vapes, for a wide range of conditions, including as a treatment to support cancer care.
When might medical cannabis be prescribed for cancer?
Current estimates indicate that there may be around 3.5 million people living with cancer in the UK alone. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 1 in 5 people develop a form of the disease in their lifetime.
The symptoms of cancer vary depending on its type, stage, and the extent to which it has spread. But patients often experience symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. In addition, common cancer treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can cause significant side effects that further impact quality of life.
A wide range of medications may be prescribed to help patients manage their symptoms. This can include targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and hormonal therapies, in addition to products to manage side effects, such as painkillers for cancer-related pain and antiemetics for nausea and vomiting.
So, when might medical cannabis help reduce cancer symptoms?
Medical cannabis for nausea and vomiting
Between 40% and 70% of people with cancer experience nausea and vomiting. This may be a result of the cancer itself or a side effect of treatment. For example, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are reported by up to 7 in 10 patients with advanced cancer. While there are several treatment options for managing these symptoms, they are not always effective. As a result, some patients may be interested in exploring alternative therapies, including medical cannabis.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently only recommends the prescription of medical cannabis for three indications, including intractable (treatment-resistant) chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
NICE’s guidance recommends considering nabilone (a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of THC) as an add-on treatment when conventional medications fail to provide adequate relief. This recommendation was made following a review of current clinical evidence of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of cannabis-based medicinal products for people with intractable nausea and vomiting.
What does the evidence say?
NICE’s review assessed 24 studies including adult patients and four studies including children. They compared cannabis-based medicinal products with placebo and several active treatments, including domperidone and prochlorperazine.
The committee concluded that patients treated with CBMPs often reported a complete or partial reduction in nausea and vomiting. In particular, nabilone was more effective in some outcomes than placebo and prochlorperazine, a common antiemetic. Therefore, the committee concluded that nabilone may be beneficial for cancer patients with persistent nausea and vomiting.
Medical cannabis for cancer-related pain
Pain is another common symptom of cancer: a recent study found that around 45% of participants, including 49.2% of cancer patients and 40.1% of cancer survivors, reported pain. Patients with advanced cancers are also more likely to experience moderate to severe pain.
This pain doesn’t always actually stem from the cancer itself, but from the tumour pressing on nerves in the body, or due to treatment interventions such as:
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy.
Patients with cancer may experience one or more different kinds of pain, including chronic pain and neuropathic pain, both of which can negatively affect quality of life and treatment outcomes.
NICE doesn’t currently recommend medical cannabis for these indications, but studies often report a high prevalence of cannabis use among patients with cancer, many of whom report taking medical cannabis to manage cancer-related pain. For example, a 2023 study found that 26% of participants undergoing cancer treatment reported cannabis use in the past 30 days. The participants most commonly reported using cannabis for pain, sleep, and nausea/vomiting.
What does the evidence say?
Several studies have assessed the potential of medical cannabis for chronic pain and neuropathic pain, including in the treatment of cancer.
A 2023 study, published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, analysed data from patients who were enrolled in the Quebec Cannabis Registry to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis in reducing pain and the use of concurrent medications in patients with cancer.
The study found that patients with cancer who took cannabis to manage their symptoms experienced statistically significant decreases at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months in worst pain, average pain, overall pain severity, and pain interference. In addition, decreases in total medication burden and morphine equivalent daily dose were also observed.
Similarly, a 2024 randomised, double-blind controlled trial of medical cannabis for symptom management in patients with advanced cancer, a 1:1 THC:CBD medical cannabis oil was associated with significant improvement in cancer-related pain. But the authors also note that medical cannabis treatment was associated with an increased incidence of side effects such as confusion and “feeling high” compared to placebo.
These findings underscore the importance of taking regulated medicinal cannabis products under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
Could medical cannabis be an option for you?
Medical cannabis can be prescribed for a wide range of conditions, including cancer-related pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. At Releaf, our specialist clinicians are always on hand to provide expert advice and guidance regarding your treatment.
If you’re interested in the potential of medical cannabis for cancer support, it couldn’t be easier to find out if you could be eligible. To see if treatment could be suitable for you, head to Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker today. It’s free, takes just 20 seconds to complete, and could be the first step towards better health.
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Emily, an accomplished content writer with a specialisation in cannabis and alternative health, leverages her five years in the sector to enhance education and diminish stigma around medicinal cannabis use.
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