Introduction: Anorexia and weight loss are common side-effects of cancer and its treatments. The efficacy of medical cannabis to improve these symptoms is unclear.
Methods: Cancer patients referred to the Cannabis Pilot Project (CPP) of the McGill University Health Centre were included in this study. CPP patients have already received supportive care; however, have not achieved adequate symptom relief with conventional treatments. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) questionnaire was completed at baseline (BL), visit 1 (>30-75 days after BL) and visit 2 (>75-120 days after BL) to determine improvement in appetite. Weight was available at each visit in a subset of patients.
Results: Thirty-seven patients (mean age 61±11 y, 51% female) were assessed at BL; of those, 43% reported anorexia as a symptom. Synthetic cannabis was prescribed to 62% of patients. The majority of patients (81%) were prescribed oral cannabis (oil), with 51% receiving Cannabidiol-rich products. There was a significant improvement in appetite over the 3 visits (BL: 3.5±3.0; visit 1: 2.2±2.4; visit 2: 1.5±2.2, p=0.033). Of patients who reported anorexia as a symptom, 75% reported improvement at visit 1, and 80% at visit 2. Weight remained unchanged over time (BL: 70.7±19.3 kg; visit 1: 67.4±21.5 kg; visit 2: 66.1±23.0 kg, p=0.509). 
Conclusion: Medical cannabis in addition to standard supportive care seems to improve appetite and stabilize weight over time in cancer patients.

13 - MEDICAL CANNABIS IMPROVES APPETITE AND STABILIZES WEIGHT IN CANCER PATIENTS