A phase I/II double-blind, randomised controlled trial assessing effect of medicinal cannabis on quality of life and symptom control in advanced cancer.

People living with advanced cancer often experience difficult symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, and poor sleep that can significantly affect their quality of life. Medicinal cannabis has attracted growing interest as a possible way to help manage these symptoms, but we still need properly designed clinical trials to understand how well it works and how safe it is. This Phase 1/2 study is testing a medicinal cannabis oil — taken by mouth — in people with advanced cancer. Two-thirds of participants will receive the active medicinal cannabis oil, and one-third will receive a placebo (an oil that looks the same but contains no cannabis). Doses start once daily and can be increased up to three times daily as needed for symptom relief. The study runs for up to a month, after which participants who received the active drug can continue accessing medicinal cannabis through compassionate access. All participants will provide blood samples and complete questionnaires about their symptoms and quality of life. You may be eligible if you are 18 or older, have been diagnosed with incurable advanced cancer of any type, have a life expectancy of more than 2 months, and are well enough to participate (ECOG score 0–2). You would not be eligible if you have recently started or changed cancer treatment, have used cannabis in the last 30 days, or have significant liver or kidney problems.