As the conversation around medical cannabis evolves, a growing body of evidence points to its potential in pediatric palliative care—specifically for children facing terminal illnesses. End-of-life care in pediatric patients presents unique challenges: managing chronic pain, reducing anxiety, and improving quality of life in the final stages. For some families, medical marijuana has emerged as a compassionate and effective option.
Cannabis is not a cure, but for children with terminal conditions such as advanced-stage cancers, severe genetic disorders, or degenerative neurological diseases, it can provide critical symptom relief. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have demonstrated analgesic and antiemetic properties, which help manage pain and reduce the nausea often caused by opioids or chemotherapy. Beyond physical relief, families and some healthcare professionals also note a visible reduction in anxiety, seizures, and sleep disturbances.
A 2022 review published in Children (Basel) found that medical cannabis was well-tolerated in pediatric palliative care and showed promise in alleviating pain and seizures while reducing polypharmacy—lowering the number of medications a child may need to take at the end of life. This is especially significant when traditional medications fail to offer adequate relief or come with intolerable side effects.
Moreover, a case report published in Case Reports in Oncology discussed the effective use of cannabidiol (CBD) in a child with high-grade glioma, showing improved mood, appetite, and pain control. Though limited in scale, these insights reflect the broader anecdotal trend among parents and caregivers who turn to cannabis when options dwindle.
Lastly, the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the importance of integrating medical marijuana into pediatric hospice care protocols when appropriate, advocating for further research and structured clinical guidelines to support its safe use.
While the legal and ethical landscape around pediatric cannabis use remains complex, the growing demand from parents and doctors for alternatives has prompted more states to include terminal illness in children as a qualifying condition.
We will continue to examine this topic further as part of our pediatric cannabis care series, with deep dives into how marijuana may benefit children facing specific terminal diagnoses in the state of Connecticut.
References:
Anju Sharma et al., Medical Cannabis Use in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review, Children (Basel), 2022.
Goldstein et al., Use of Cannabidiol in a Child With High-Grade Glioma: A Case Report, Case Reports in Oncology, 2021.
Feudtner et al., Pediatric Palliative Care: Medical Cannabis in Pediatric Hospice Protocols, Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2020.
