Medical Cannabis During Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Prior treatment

• Prior diagnosis of cannabis use disorder as defined in the DSM-V
• Current or prior diagnosis of a psychotic disorder as defined in the DSM-V

Other illness

• Current opioid use disorder on maintenance opioid therapy
• History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to cannabis derivatives
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

Other

• Current active use of smoked cannabis or cannabis derivatives AND unwillingness to cease use of non-medically certified cannabis for the duration of study participation

• Patients must have histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region planned for definitive or adjuvant radiation therapy and are being certified for medical cannabis
• Patients must receive platinum-based chemotherapy or cetuximab concurrently with radiation therapy
• Patients must be certified to obtain medical marijuana as per New York State Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Program eligibility criteria and guidelines (https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical\_marijuana/faq.htm)
• Age \>=18 years and ECOG performance status \<=2 (Karnofsky \>=60)
• Patients must be willing to use medically certified cannabis as directed after study enrollment
• Patients must be able to read English, Spanish, or French fluently
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.