I’m sure the title of this article will anger many people, and that’s ok. Just don’t dismiss this information before you’ve read it. We will present theories, evidence, facts, and hopefully lead you to the same conclusion; that yes, Cannabis really does cure cancer.

There is No Cure for Cancer…

Believing that no cure for cancer exists is based on mistaking the word cure for the word panacea.
To cure simply means “to relieve (a person or animal) of the symptoms of a disease or condition.” ¹
Whereas panacea means “a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.” ²

Cannabis in not a panacea. It does not work every time, for every person, on every form of cancer. And yet, that is what too many people hear when we say cannabis cures cancer.

However, cannabis has been shown to cure some forms of cancer in some people some of the time. In fact, based on our research, we are prepared to make the claim that cannabis succeeds in curing cancer more than it fails to cure cancer. Not only does it work more than 50% of the time (some people say it works 80% of the time), it is also used to reduce the negative effects of other forms of cancer treatment, and its side-effects are almost completely positive. Those treated with cannabis have almost zero incidences of reoccurring cancer, and no lasting damage or scarring from the treatment. Let’s examine some of the evidence which supports these claims.

The Facts

Here we present many scientific studies showing the effects of cannabis on cancer in a laboratory setting. We will also cross-examine these facts with genuine questions from skeptics. If we have missed an important question, feel free to leave it in the comments and we can update this article with relevant questions.

Cannabinoids kill cancer cells

A THC Molecule

A common statement made by cannabis supporters is that cannabinoids have been shown to kill cancer cells in laboratory experiments. ³

Rebuttal:

So does lemon juice, so does radiation. Just because they kill cancer cells in laboratory experiments doesn’t mean they will kill cancer cells in a human in any way that is beneficial.

Response:

Remarkably, cannabinoids target cancer cells, while non-tumor cells and tissues are avoided. ⁴
The key is how cannabis targets and kills cancer cells:

Cannabinoids have been shown to Selectively Trigger Autophagy in Cancer Cells

Autophagy is when cells digest and recycle damaged parts of themselves.⁵, ⁶
Reduced autophagy is found in tumor cells and may be associated with the transformation of healthy cells into malignant tumor cells,⁷, ⁸ and is thought to be a predictor of tumor growth.⁹
In addition, necrosis and chronic inflammation are controlled and limited by autophagy, as any damage within the cell is consumed as an energy source.¹⁰ This helps prevent damaged cells from transforming into malignant tumor cells.¹⁰, ¹¹, ¹²  Recent research shows autophagy’s role as a tumor suppressor.⁷, ¹³

Cannabis has been shown to specifically target tumor cells and trigger autophagy, ¹⁴, ¹⁵, ¹⁶ while simultaneously protecting nearby healthy cells.¹⁷ This means cannabis triggers cancer cells to consume themselves without harming surrounding healthy cells, and in fact, protects healthy cells.⁴

Cannabinoids have also been shown to Selectively Trigger Apoptosis in Tumor Cells

A CBD Molecule

Apoptosis is a kind of programmed cell death mechanism.
Abnormalities in apoptosis that lead to early cell death or the absence of normal cell death have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders and cancer,^18 19 as well as cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.^20 21

An important aspect of an effective anti-tumor drug is its ability to inhibit proliferation (rapid reproduction) of cancer cells. Cancer cells proliferate rapidly in an uncontrolled manner. Also, these cells escape death mechanisms which a normal cell undergoes like apoptosis.

Cannabinoids have been shown to selectively trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. ^{22 23}  Cannabinoids actually interact with cancer cells on a molecular level and trigger them to self-destruct.²² All this without causing any harm to surrounding healthy cells, in fact, they protect and improve the health of surrounding cells at the same time.⁴

They have exhibited these anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on every form of cancer tested so far, including (but not limited to):

• Bone cancer ²²
• Breast cancer ²², ²³
• Colon cancer ²³, ²⁴
• Cervical cancer ²⁵
• Gastric cancer ²⁶
• Glioma (brain) cancer ²², ²³
• Head and neck cancer
• Lung cancer ²², ²³
• Leukemia ²⁷, ²³
• Lymphoma ²², ²³
• Oral cancer ²²
• Pancreatic cancer ²²
• Prostate cancer ²²
• Skin cancer ²²
• Thyroid carcinoma ²², ²³

The powerful apoptotic and autophagic properties of certain cannabinoids has resulted in them being referred to as anti-tumor agents even among cancer researchers.³ The important fact to point out here is that cannabis has these anti-tumor effects without damaging any other cells in the body. Cannabis is anti-tumor while actually increasing the health of the rest of the body.^{4 28}

Model of tumorigenesis. The figure illustrates the formation of an invasive tumor and its metastasization to a distant organ via a blood vessel. Copyright © 2010 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Cannabinoids Shrink Tumors and Prevent Spreading (Metastasis)

According to a study published in the British journal of clinical pharmacology in 2013; “Cannabinoids possess anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects and they are known to interfere with tumor neovascularization, cancer cell migration, adhesion, invasion, and metastasization.” ²³

Rebuttal:

Awaiting rebuttal.

Response:

In addition to the anti-proliferative (autophagic) and pro-apoptotic effects of cannabinoids, they are also known to interfere with tumor neovascularization, cancer cell migration, adhesion, invasion, and metastasization.²³

Let’s look at each of these categories in more detail.

Tumor Vascularization

Tumours can grow to a size of approximately 1–2 mm³ before requiring direct blood flow.²⁹  Tumor Vascularization is when a tumor is able to attract the growth of blood vessels from the supportive tissue around itself. Getting sufficient blood and oxygen is critical for tumor growth.

Studies are showing that cannabinoids can drastically reduce the growth of tumors by specifically inhibiting tumor vascularization – amazingly these effects are limited to cancerous cells.^{30 31}  So cannabinoids prevent tumors from growing by directly preventing them from attracting blood vessels to themselves, without interfering with vascularization of surrounding healthy tissue.⁴

Tumor Cell Migration and Metastasis

When tumor cells detach from their surrounding tissue and migrate to other areas of the body (metastasis), they must rely on autophagy for their energy.³²

Cannabinoids have been shown to selectively switch off autophagy specifically in tumor cells that have detached and begun migrating.³², ³³  Thus cannabinoids both encourage autophagy in tumor cells when static, and discourage autophagy in tumor cells when metastatic – showing amazing adaptability in fighting cancer.³⁴, ³⁵, ³⁶

Overview on the functional effects of Cannabinoids on Tumor Cell Migration

– Antitumorigenic Effects of Cannabinoids beyond Apoptosis ³⁸

Cancer Cell Adhesion

Cells in our bodies have what are known as Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAM) that allow them to attach to other tissues of the body.³⁹  The ability of cancer cells to metastasize and spread to new areas of the body relies upon these cell adhesion molecules.⁴⁰ Disrupting the CAMs of tumor cells has been widely researched as an effective anti-cancer therapy.⁴¹, ⁴²

Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective at inhibiting the adhesion and invasion of cancerous cells throughout the body.³⁸, ⁴³, ³⁵  These effects are noticed only in tumor cells and does not appear to affect the CAMs of healthy cells. ^4 43

Overview on the functional effects of Cannabinoids on Tumor Cell Adhesion

– Antitumorigenic Effects of Cannabinoids beyond Apoptosis ³⁸

Tumor Cell Invasion

Intravasation is the invasion of cancer cells through the basal membrane into a blood or lymphatic vessel. Invasion and metastasis are the greatest obstacles to successful tumor treatment.⁴⁶  The greater the ability of a cancer cell to invade other membranes, the more malignant the cancer is considered.⁴⁷

Cannabinoids have been shown to reduce the invasiveness of cancer cells, with some researchers even calling THC “anti-invasive” in reference to its cancer fighting ability. ⁴⁸, ⁴⁹, ⁵⁰  Cannabinoids may therefore offer a therapeutic option in the treatment of highly invasive cancers without risk of damaging healthy cells.^{4 48}

Overview on the functional effects of Cannabinoids on Tumor Cell Invasion

– Antitumorigenic Effects of Cannabinoids beyond Apoptosis ³⁸

Tumor Metastases

Tumor cell migration, adhesion, and invasion are all parts of the progression of metastases. Collectively, cannabinoids reduce the expansion of tumor cells in several ways that are not yet fully understood. What is clear is that cannabinoids are antimetastatic – and cannabinoids prevent the spread of cancer in addition to killing cancer cells.³⁸

Overview on the functional effects of Cannabinoids on Tumor Cell Metastasization

Conclusion:

When an oncologist attempts to target a cancerous growth for treatment, they must understand what type of cancer it is, what stage it is in, where it is in the body, and more. One treatment that kills certain types of tumor cells may increase the growth and spread of other types of tumor cells. This is why oncology is such a difficult science.

The research presented here indicates that the cannabis plant contains compounds (cannabinoids) that can fight (apoptosis), prevent (autophagy), and even reverse (triggered autophagy) most types of tumor cells in addition to preventing the spread of cancer throughout the body (cancer cell migration, metastasization). All of this is achieved while causing no harm to healthy cells.^{4 28}

It’s almost as if our body knows how to heal itself, and cannabis gives our body the tools it needs to heal itself of cancer.

The witnesses we present next will provide evidence that consuming the cannabis plant in a concentrated oil form delivers many different cannabinoids to the body. When given these cannabinoids in their natural form, they appear to help the body fight, prevent, and reverse cancer without the direction of an oncologist or any other specialist. We propose, based on this evidence, that cannabis simply helps increase the body’s natural defenses against all forms of cancer.

The Witnesses

Here we present testimony from several people who claim to have cured their cancer using cannabis oil. We will also cross-examine these witnesses with genuine questions from skeptics.

Sharon Kelly

Sharon Kelly poses with her scans before and after using cannabis oil

54-year-old Sharon Kelly was diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer. She was told that the cancer in her body had made its way to her lymph nodes and the lining of her stomach; and that she could expect to survive for somewhere between six and nine months.

She was informed that radiation and chemo-therapy were not valid treatment options for a patient with stage four lung cancer, as they would likely only make her sicker. Instead, they urged her to return home to husband and children to enjoy her remaining 9 months of life.

Without adequate help from the medical community, Kelly’s youngest daughter turned to the internet and began reading numerous testimonials from cancer patients who had found relief with cannabis oil. With nothing left to lose, Kelly decided to try it for herself and began taking a small dose orally several times a day.

After noting how tired she became after taking the oil orally, she began researching cannabis suppositories, or drug-administration systems that are inserted into the rectum, vagina or urethra. She found that this method didn’t make her tired, and that it allowed her to take the full recommended dose without complication.

She eventually upped her dosage to two grams per day, and paired the treatment with an alkalizing, clean-eating diet. Within a few months, her tumor had shrunk from 5cm to 2.1cm and her lymph nodes had retained their normal size. Her doctors noted the fluid surrounding her heart was also no longer visible.

After seven months of cannabis oil treatment, Kelly’s scans indicated she was completely cancer-free, shocking her oncologist and others familiar with her case. Now, 13 months after her initial diagnosis, Kelly remains cancer-free, and credits the use of cannabis oil for not only her otherwise unexplained recovery, but also her ability to live out the rest of her life amidst the love and comfort of her family.⁵⁶

Corrie Yelland

In July of 2011, Corrie Yelland was diagnosed with Anal Canal Cancer (the same form of cancer that took Farrah Fawcett’s life). Following 2 surgeries, her cancer still remained. The only option offered was to endure a regime of radiation treatments.

The Anal Canal is considered “the worst area of the body to radiate.” The radiation beam will hit both the coccyx and pubic bone; potentially causing permanent damage.

Corrie was told she would suffer 2nd and 3rd degree burns vaginally, rectally, across her buttocks, as well as her entire “nether regions.” Additionally, there was a “good possibility” both her vagina and rectum would fuse shut from the burns and subsequent scarring.

Corrie told her doctor that she needed time to think it over before agreeing to the procedure. However, without treatment she was given only 2-4 months, possibly 6 months to live.

One day, Corrie was given a copy of Run From The Cure – by Rick Simpson. She describes what happened next:

“Here was this man, a seemingly super straight small town Nova Scotian, talking about these amazing results he had seen with in himself and other people taking Cannabis and curing themselves of a myriad of diseases including end stage cancers.
After hearing what Rick had to say, and watching the testimonials in the video, I was feeling some hope for the first time. For 2 weeks I did nothing but research cannabis as a medicine. I was stunned by the sheer number of studies on Pub Med indicating that cannabis indeed has the capacity to heal. I started using cannabis 2 months ago as per Rick Simpson’s protocol from his video. (He recommends starting out small, and slowly upping the dose so ones’ body becomes accustomed to it, without being high constantly. As a person who hasn’t smoked pot since my late teens, early 20’s, the non-high aspect appealed to me). I had huge hopes to cure my cancer, and embarked on my fight to live.”

She also began filling gelatin capsules with a mixture of the cannabis oil and olive oil and inserting them rectally. 2 weeks into the cannabis oil regime, Corrie noticed most of her pain was gone. Typically needing 10-15 Tylenol per day, she was down to just 1/2 a tablet per day.

On September 20, 2012, she returned to her surgeon. He examined her a total of 3 times just to make sure of the results. Finally his prognosis:

“It’s gone! I can’t find anything at all. If it wasn’t for the scar tissue I would never have known you had ever had cancer.”

No doctor, no radiation or chemotherapy, and Corrie had successfully cured her cancer with cannabis oil. ⁵⁷

Here is Corrie’s official medical documentation:

The Verdict

If any of the information presented in this article is inaccurate, please contact us with corrections. If new information is discovered, please contact us with that information. However, until such new evidence is presented to us, we confidently declare:

Yes, Cannabis Does Cure Cancer.

Science is not just for “scientists” to do in a laboratory. Science is the only way to establish something as true or false, and experiments can be done in a lab or on a kitchen table. We have taken you through the scientific method in this article:

1. We proposed a Hypothesis.
2. We then tested this hypothesis by examining known facts and interviewing witnesses.
3. Finally, it comes down to you to analyze whether the evidence supports our hypothesis or not.

Don’t let anyone tell you what is true or false, especially when your health or your life might depend upon it. Test their statement, analyze the evidence, and then decide for yourself.

If you enjoyed this article, please leave us a comment below (way below – there’s a LOT of references). Also, please share this information with anyone who might find it interesting.

Right now, cannabis is not legal for Millions of people to access. And those who can access it may not have access to reliable sources. The only way to change all of that is to spread accurate information about this plant. Educate yourself first, and then help us to educate others!

Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
DJ Nicke

References: