Many people living with cancer turn to cannabis for symptom relief — but without proper guidance, it can introduce very serious risks. Here’s why pharmacist oversight matters more than ever!

When You’re Living With Cancer, Cannabis Decisions Deserve Extra Care

At Apothecare, we often speak with patients navigating cancer who are looking for relief from symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, poor sleep, or appetite changes. Wanting support during such a difficult time is completely understandable.

But cannabis and cancer treatment don’t always mix as safely as people assume.

While cannabis can be helpful for some symptoms, it can also interfere with cancer treatments, medications, and the body’s ability to tolerate therapy. That’s why these decisions require expert guidance, not guesswork.

Why Cancer and Cannabis Can Be a Risky Combination

We’ve seen more people with cancer seek out cannabis on their own, hoping for relief. The intention is valid, but without proper medical oversight, there can be unintended consequences.

Some important considerations include:

Chemotherapy and Cannabis

Certain cannabis products may alter how chemotherapy drugs are processed in the body. This can sometimes make treatment feel stronger, intensify side effects, or make dosing harder to manage. These situations require medical oversight.

Immunotherapy and Cannabis

This is a particularly important area of concern. Early research suggests cannabis may reduce the effectiveness of some immunotherapy treatments, which activate the immune system, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab. For patients on immunotherapy, cannabis use should never be assumed to be safe without review.

CBD and Other Medications

Even non-intoxicating products like CBD can interact with common cancer medications by changing how they’re metabolized. This can lead to unexpected side effects or reduced effectiveness of treatment.

Other Safety Concerns to Be Aware Of

Beyond treatment interactions, there are additional risks that are important to understand:

• Worsening nausea: In some cases, regular use of high-THC products can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome — severe nausea and vomiting that can easily be mistaken for chemotherapy side effects.
• Heart and mental health effects: Cannabis can raise heart rate and blood pressure, and may cause confusion, anxiety, or mood changes, especially during physically and emotionally demanding treatment periods.
• Smoking or vaping: Inhaled cannabis can irritate the lungs and increase infection risk, which is especially concerning for people with weakened immune systems.

What to Do Instead: Get the Right Support First

If you or a loved one is living with cancer and considering cannabis, the safest first step is speaking with an Apothecare healthcare professional who understands both cancer care and cannabis.

At Apothecare, our pharmacists can:

• Review current cancer treatments and medications
• Screen for serious drug–drug interactions
• Help determine whether cannabis is appropriate
• Recommend safer formats or alternatives, if appropriateSometimes the safest answer is a modified approach — and sometimes it’s choosing not to use cannabis at all. Both are valid outcomes when guided by care.

Cancer patients deserve more than generalized advice. They deserve thoughtful, individualized guidance that prioritizes safety, dignity, and well-being.

At Apothecare, our role is to help people make informed decisions and to protect their health.

If you or someone you care about is navigating cancer and has questions about cannabis, our pharmacist-led team is here to help.

Call us at 1-866-880-4325

We’ll take the time to listen, review, and guide you safely.