Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz Promotes Cannabis Breast Cancer Research

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and millions around the country are working hard to raise awareness to help find a cure for breast cancer. With no known or accepted cure, breast cancer affects more than 12% of U.S. women sometime in their lives. There are more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer every year. To kick off breast cancer awareness month, Republican Congressman Matt Goetz is encouraging further research into cannabis breast cancer treatments.

“Its Time For Cannabis Research To Begin”

Recently on the floor of the House of Representatives, Matt Gaetz of Florida argued to his colleagues that cannabis can be used to treat the various forms of breast cancer. Gaetz called on members of Congress to push for the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I.

He said “cannabis has shown promise in cancer research for over two decades. There is now conclusive research that shows that cannabis-related compounds have anti-tumor properties. It is time for cannabis research to begin.”

By mentioning the possibility of using marijuana for breast cancer, Congressman Gaetz joined a growing list of U.S. Congress members who have openly supported medical cannabis legislation reform. This statement doesn’t come without a political purpose. Gaetz is hoping to advance bipartisan marijuana legislation that he has co-sponsored along with Democratic Congressman Darren Soto. The bill hopes “to provide for the rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.” Reclassifying cannabis to schedule three would make it similar in level of illegality to anabolic steroids. Cannabis is currently considered a Schedule I drug by the federal government, alongside other drugs like LSD and heroin.

Will Congress Approve Cannabis Breast Cancer Research?

Should Gaetz and Soto’s bill pass, further breast cancer research utilizing marijuana as treatment would be possible. There is already evidence that suggests cannabis has the power to fight breast cancer. While most studies focus on cannabis’ ability to treat nausea brought upon by chemotherapy, some studies suggest that cannabis may have the power to directly combat cancer.

The American Cancer Society website cites a study where “scientists reported that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in lab dishes.” While the American Cancer Society has hope for cannabis and its ability to treat breast cancer, they caution that, “the studies so far have shown that cannabinoids can be safe in treating cancer but they do not show that they help control or cure the disease.”

Belief In Cannabis Cancer Treatment

Matt Gaetz, Darren Soto, and the American Cancer Society are only some of the major organizations or people promoting cannabis breast cancer research.

Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John’s had breast cancer but was in remission for 20 years. However she was recently informed her cancer had returned. Alongside her traditional cancer treatments she has started using cannabis grown by her husband to speed up treatment and mask the terrible back pain she faces as a symptom of breast cancer.

When Congress is asked to consider the Gaetz-Soto marijuana reformation bill, they will also be asked to consider the opinions and true-life stories of those who have already experienced the benefits of cannabis for breast cancer treatment.