title: Medicinal cannabis in oncology.
abstract: In The Netherlands, since September 2003, a legal medicinal cannabis product, constituting the whole range of cannabinoids, is available for clinical research, drug development strategies, and on prescription for patients. To date, this policy, initiated by the Dutch Government, has not yet led to the desired outcome; the amount of initiated clinical research is less than expected and only a minority of patients resorts to the legal product. This review aims to discuss the background for the introduction of legal medicinal cannabis in The Netherlands, the past years of Dutch clinical experience in oncology practice, possible reasons underlying the current outcome, and future perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus University Medical Centre--Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre, Department of Medical Oncology, Groene Hilledijk 301, 3075 EA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frederike K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Floris A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Ron H J
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mathijssen
authors.forename: Joëlle A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Erkens
authors.forename: Ron M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Herings
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verweij
mesh_terms: D000855:Anorexia / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D005544:Forecasting; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids