Cannabis Use Linked to Lower BCC Risk, No Change in Melanoma or cSCC: Study

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis use was associated with a decreased incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) over 10 years in a large matched cohort analysis presented in a poster at AAD 2026.
• No significant differences were observed in melanoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) risk.
• Findings are observational and require prospective validation before clinical interpretation.

Cannabis use was linked with decreased incidince of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), but not cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or malignant melanoma (MM), according to results from a newly presented poster.

Researchers for the retrospective cohort study used data from the TriNetX US Collaborative Network and identified adults aged 30 years or older with a documented outpatient visit and compared patients with a history of cannabis use to matched controls without a history of use. The final cohorts included 74,276 patients each. Primary endpoints were 10-year incidence rates of MM, cSCC (both including in situ), and BCC. A negative control outcome (removal of benign skin lesions) was included to assess potential healthcare utilization bias. 

According to the data, cannabis use was associated with a decreased incidence of BCC across primary and several sensitivity analyses, including cohorts restricted for higher exposure and shorter follow-up intervals. This association was more pronounced in male and White patient subgroups. There were no statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of melanoma or cSCC between cannabis users and controls. The negative control analysis showed no difference in benign lesion removal rates.

Limitations included the retrospective design, reliance on administrative coding, and inability to quantify cannabis exposure or route of use. Subgroup findings were also potentially underpowered in certain populations.

“Cannabis use was associated with decreased BCC incidence but not cSCC or MM,” the authors wrote in their study poster. “Prospective and mechanistic studies are needed before clinical or policy recommendations can be made.”

Source: DiCenso SM, Carroll BT. Cannabis Use and Skin Cancer. Poster 70596. Presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27-31, 2026; Denver.