Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41588480›Full record

ArticleJournal of cannabis research2026

Using a discrete choice experiment to estimate individual preferences to medicate cancer-related symptoms with cannabis.

Helen McTaggart-Cowan, Adam J N Raymakers, Sara Izadi-Najafabadi, Colene Bentley

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cannabis research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Helen McTaggart-CowanPopulation Health Sciences, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada. hcowan@bccrc.ca.
Adam J N RaymakersPopulation Health Sciences, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.
Sara Izadi-NajafabadiPopulation Health Sciences, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.
Colene BentleyPopulation Health Sciences, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.

Funding

Canadian Cancer Society 2015-703549
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn October 2018, Canada legalized non-medical cannabis, increasing accessibility nationwide. Although a separate medical cannabis framework exists, many individuals with cancer may now obtain cannabis through non-medical channels rather than through the medical system. This shift raises questions about how legalization has influenced patients’ attitudes and preferences regarding the use of cannabis to manage cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects. We aimed to determine individuals’ preferences for using cannabis as a complementary therapy in cancer survivorship.

methodsMembers of a Canadian research panel completed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to assess preferences for medicinal cannabis. Respondents completed 12 choice sets, each consisting of two health states described by seven attributes identified from previous qualitative work, as well as an opt-out option. The seven attributes were cannabis effectiveness, ability to perform everyday activities, chance of unwanted side effects, opinions of family and friends about cannabis, doctor’s opinion of cannabis, access to cannabis, and out-of-pocket cost. Each attribute had three or four levels. DCE responses were analyzed using an error-component mixed logit regression model to estimate the relative attribute importance and willingness-to-pay.

resultsThe dataset included 1,089 respondents who completed at least one choice set. Of these, 61.5% (n = 670) reported no experience with cancer, and 35.5% (n = 387) had some experience with cannabis. Analysis of the DCE responses demonstrated that respondents preferred the effective management of cancer symptoms and the ability to perform everyday activities. Respondents expressed disutility for unwanted side effects resulting from cannabis use.

conclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to elicit general population preferences for medicinal cannabis in the context of cancer survivorship. Insights from these preferences may inform policy and priority-setting to support equitable access to medical cannabis for symptom management improved quality of life among individuals with cancer.

Indexed as

CanadaCancerCancer survivorshipCannabisDiscrete choice experimentPreferences

Identifiers

PMID41588480
PMCPMC12918061

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.