destigmatize cannabis use for mental health

health canada just released the results of its 2020 canadian cannabis survey , noting that a whopping 27 per cent of canadians had used cannabis in the last year. approximately half of those surveyed stated that they used cannabis for medical purposes, with rates of usage particularly high among people reporting poor or fair mental health.

these findings overlap with the existing research which indicates that a substantial number of people with mental illness use cannabis therapeutically to manage symptoms  such as anxiety, sleep issues and chronic pain. such medicinal usage can reduce suffering, as cannabis contains analgesic properties that are generally effective and safe when used in moderation.

although cannabis has been legal for over two years, there are still many stereotypes and stigmas surrounding people who use medicinal cannabis, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion. for example, one study from the university of british columbia found that medicinal cannabis users were frequently labelled as irresponsible, unreliable and unsavoury ‘potheads’ by a variety of people including family, friends and even healthcare providers.

these stereotypes are far from the truth, as a wide variety of canadians with mental health issues are using cannabis for medicinal purposes including older adults, parents and veterans. in fact, one study found that 52 per cent of veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (including many who served in afghanistan) use cannabis for relaxation, emotional calming and pain management.

the results are consistent with the findings of a report on medicinal use of cannabis by the senate sub-committee on veteran’s affairs , which noted that veterans often turn to cannabis after other medical treatments have failed. indeed, one veteran told the committee that “medical cannabis saved his life and…improved his quality of life by exponential dimensions.”

in short, the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding cannabis users are obscuring the reality that many people from many walks of life are now using cannabis for beneficial health purposes. given this situation, the mental health commission of canada recently funded 14 community-based projects aiming to explore, document and destigmatize cannabis use in diverse groups.