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    Scientific Articles and Posters

    The Division of Medical Cannabis (DMC) has a goal to add to the scientific literature about medical cannabis. DMC shares non-identifiable data (patient names or other identifiable information are not shared) with external researchers to increase the scientific literature about medical cannabis use. 

    Published articles

    DMC staff work with external researchers to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals and other publications. Below is a sample of published articles where DMC staff are co-authors.

    Association of Financial Wellness with Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adults with Cancer

    • Authors: Dylan Zylla, Helen Parsons, Jeanette Ziegenfuss, Bruce Lindgren, Susan Park, Patricia Jewett, Arjun Gupta, Anne Blaes
    • Despite increasing use of medical cannabis to manage cancer-related symptoms, U.S. payers do not reimburse medical cannabis, leaving patients responsible for all associated costs. We assessed how self-reported financial well-being is associated with patterns of cannabis consumption, out-of-pocket costs, and impact on symptoms in patients with cancer. The article was published in a special issue of Research Society on Marijuana.

    Data quality in a survey of registered medical cannabis users with cancer: nonresponse and measurement error

    • Authors: Jeanette Ziegenfuss, Helen Parsons, Anne Blaes, Bruce Lindgren, Julia Andersen, Susan Park, Patricia Jewett, Arjun Gupta, Dylan Zylla
    • Cannabis use among people with cancer is best understood using survey self-report. Due to stigma associated with cannabis use, nonresponse and measurement issues can impact data quality. This article used data from the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program to look at differences between patients who responded to a survey compared to those who didn’t respond. The article was published in a special issue of JNCI Monographs: Cannabis Use Among Cancer Survivors.

    Impact of medical cannabis on patient-reported symptoms for patients with cancer enrolled in Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program 

    • Authors: Susan Anderson (Park), Dylan Zylla, Deepa McGriff, Tom Arneson
    • Within four months of starting medical cannabis, patients enrolled in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program saw significant relief from anxiety, depression, fatigue, nausea, pain, and vomiting, as well as increased appetite and better sleep. The findings were published in the Journal of Oncology Practice.

    A randomized trial of medical cannabis in patients with stage IV cancers to assess feasibility, dose requirements, impact on pain and opioid use, safety, and overall patient satisfaction 

    • Authors: Dylan Zylla, Justin Eklund, Grace Gilmore, Alissa Gavenda, Jordan Guggisberg, Gabriela VazquezBenitez, Pamala Pawloski, Tom Arneson, Sara Richter, Angela Birnbaum, Stephen Dahmer, Matthew Tracy, Arkadiusz Dudek
    • Conducting randomized controlled trials using a state cannabis program is feasible. The addition of medical cannabis to standard oncology care was well-tolerated and may lead to improved pain control and lower opioid requirements. Conducting larger randomized controlled trials with medical cannabis in state-sponsored programs may guide oncology providers on how to safely and effectively incorporate medical cannabis for interested patients. The findings were published in Support Cancer Care.

    Oncology clinicians and the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program: A survey on medical cannabis practice patterns, barriers to enrollment, and educational needs 

    • Authors: Dylan Zylla, Grant Steele, Justin Eklund, Jeanne Mettner, Tom Arneson
    • Although support for cannabis use in the cancer setting is growing, significant barriers remain. This study illustrates a clear need to give clinicians both data and education to guide their discussions about the benefits, risks, and cost considerations of using medical cannabis for cancer-related symptoms. The findings were published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

    Early survey results from the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program (PDF) 

    • Authors: Deepa McGriff, Susan Anderson (Park), Tom Arneson
    • This article describes preliminary findings from the Office of Medical Cannabis’ research about who is using the program and whether patients and their certifying health care practitioners are noticing benefits and harms. The article was published in Minnesota Medicine.

    Posters

    External researchers also develop and present scientific posters on studies using non-identifiable data from the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program.

    Impact of Cannabis Use Patterns on Symptoms in Patients with Cancer (PDF)

    • Authors: Apoorva Reddy, Janvi Shah, John Hampton, Natalie Schmitz, Amy Trentham-Dietz
    • The poster highlights the data analysis of a study to identify promising doses and cannabinoid products associated with improved symptoms in cancer survivors. The poster was presented at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and at Northern Michigan University. 
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