Cannabis is known for its medicinal properties. More recently, scientific research has found that weed can not only help those dealing with cancer but also HIV/AIDS and glaucoma. These diseases became the main catalysts in the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis. Medical patients often use weed to help with symptoms such as nausea, appetite loss, and weight issues caused by chemotherapy. Not only that, cannabis can also help with the psychological side of some diseases such as improving mood, depression, and anxiety. Some studies suggest that cannabinoids can slow down tumor growth and potentially kill or inhibit cancer cells. While weed might still not be a stand-alone cancer treatment, it is a great alternative to alleviate the symptoms associated with the disease. In the list below, we’ve highlighted the best strains for killing cancer or alleviating symptoms associated with cancer patients based on user feedback.
Best weed strains that may help killing cancer
Best strains that may help with cancer support
Did you know an estimated 20-40% of people with cancer use cannabis to support their symptoms? While it’s not considered a cure for cancer, there are some strains known for their efficacy in supporting things like nausea, vomiting, appetite stimulation, pain, anxiety, and depression — which are all symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
We’ve curated a list of the best strains for potential cancer support, each with its own unique effects. You’ll find relaxing strains that may help with stress and sleep, energizing cultivars that offer a boost of bright energy on days you need it most, and others known to increase appetite and quell the queasy nausea up to 80% of chemotherapy patients experience.
Top strains for potential cancer support
Like cancer, cannabis affects everyone differently. That said, there are common cancer symptoms and cannabis effects with distinct similarities — meaning it’s worth exploring different strains to determine what best supports your unique needs. Some patients will find an energizing sativa best for daytime support, while others might need a heavy indica that helps with insomnia and other sleep issues cancer patients face. If you’re interested in the best strains that may help with cancer support, the following list is a great place to start.
Columbian
Columbian is a pure sativa landrace ideal for cancer patients interested in an uplifting and energizing daytime strain. This sweet honey and spicy herbal flavored strain with a 17% THC average gives many cancer patients the energy they need to just make it through the day. It’s also amazing for boosting mood — delivering a super positive vibe that can be awesome for lifting your spirits and easing symptoms like depression and anxiety that a lot people experience when dealing with cancer. Columbian’s talkative and creative effects inspire a social energy that can be great for connecting with people you love, which can help immensely when it comes to emotional support. Medical marijuana patients report it helps manage cancer symptoms, including things like depression, stress, fatigue, and lack of appetite.
Face Off OG
Whether it’s trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early, about 50% of people with cancer are reported to suffer from sleep issues — meaning knowing what strains for supporting cancer are best for sleep. Face Off OG is definitely one of them, an indica-dominant hybrid known for its sedative-like effects. With 21% THC, pungent spicy herbal and distinct skunk and musky taste, and uplifting yet relaxing effects, this OG Kush phenotype is an ideal strain for medical patients and canna connoisseurs who appreciate high-quality weed. Face Off OG delivers an uplifting cerebral euphoria that simultaneously relaxes the body, with physical effects that get heavier and heavier until you find yourself couch-locked, lazy, and likely soon ready for bed. Aside from its potential to support insomnia and other sleep issues cancer patients face, medical patients report it helps with stress, inflammation, and pain.
Gelato Cake
Gelato Cake is a largely indica-dominant hybrid with a dreamy sweet and creamy vanilla flavor with a dessert-like taste that serves up soothing effects just as delicious. This Gelato #33 and Wedding Cake cross delivers a soothing head and body high said to inspire a calm vibe of peaceful tranquility. Its efficacy for soothing both mental and physical tension is a major reason why medical cannabis patients report Gelato Cake is excellent for soothing stress, anxiety, and pain — all of which make it one of the best strains that may help with cancer support, especially patients looking for a calm, soothing high. It can also make you sleepy, meaning it’s best for evening use or on afternoons with plenty of space for napping.
Lemonhead OG
Lemonhead OG is one of the best strains for cancer support for patients interested in a potent daytime pick-me-up. This sativa dominant hybrid has a 23% THC average and bright citrusy lemon and pine taste with a tangy twist that lingers on the palate. Expect the high from this powerhouse to hit immediately — delivering an uplifting, happy head high that increases focus and creativity, eventually leading to a tingly body high said to heighten arousal. Lemonhead OG is a great strong strain for feeling good. Which is exactly why medical patients praise its efficacy for supporting stress and depression. It’s also said to relieve pain and help with lack of appetite. It’s the combination of these effects and potential benefits why this OG Kush and C4 cross is known to be one of the best weed strains that may support cancer.
Animal Face
Animal Face is a hard-hitting sativa dominant hybrid known for its potent influence on body and mind. It delivers an out of this world experience and sweet, nutty flavor with strong diesel, fresh mint, and pine notes that won it gold at the 2022 Emerald Cup. This Animal Mints and Face Off OG cross produces a heady euphoric high that’s blissfully uplifting and super calming at the same time. Its tingly physical high relaxes the body so much that you’ll feel stoned but not sedated, more of a soothing calm that’s said to help ease pain, cramps, and symptoms of arthritis. You also might find your appetite turned all the way up — Animal Face can cause some serious munches, something cancer patients may find helps ease nausea or lack of appetite.
How does cannabis support cancer?
Cannabis is reported to help support cancer patients by alleviating some of the distressing symptoms of the disease and its treatment. Increased medical cannabis research continues to explore the efficacy of cannabis compounds for managing and treating things like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss, pain relief, and tumor suppression.
Why do cancer patients use cannabis?
Many cancer patients say using cannabis helps manage their symptoms and improves quality of life. A 2024 review found that a significant number of cancer patients report cannabis helps with pain, nausea, sleep, appetite, and anxiety. Two synthetic THC cannabinoid drugs, nabilone and dronabinol, have also been approved by the FDA as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Does cannabis cure cancer?
There is no evidence that shows cannabis cures cancer, but there are preclinical trials that highlight the anticancer potential of cannabinoids. Increased cannabis research has led to discoveries that cannabinoids may contain potential to slow tumor growth, induce apoptosis (cell death), and regulate the immune response.
While more clinical trials are needed to make any health claims, there are several studies that highlight the potential anticancer effects of cannabis. A recent study on GBG found the cannabinoid contains potential anti-cancer effects, CBD research has discovered evidence that it may inhibit the growth and spread of various cancer cells, a 2024 analysis found THCV is “an excellent anticancer aspirant,” and there’s also evidence that THC may have a positive effect on different types of cancer, including melanoma, pancreatic, colon, cervical, and oral cancer.