A new pilot study in Canada looked at how medically supervised cannabis use in a residential recovery home could support people in treatment for substance use challenges. 

Participants in the study reported that cannabis helped them manage pain, anxiety, depression and sleep issues, all symptoms that can complicate recovery. Stigma surrounding cannabis remains a barrier, though. 

The research resulted from a collaboration between UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University in BC and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. 

“Our findings suggest medical cannabis could play a meaningful role in reducing cravings and improving retention in recovery programs,” says Dr. Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at UBC Okanagan and co-lead researcher.

“Participants clearly indicated benefits in managing both physical and psychological challenges during recovery.”

Users also reported reduced cravings for opioids and other harmful substances, improved pain management, and enhanced mental health and sleep quality.

Stigma surrounding cannabis use remains a significant barrier, though, according to the research. Staff interviews revealed a need for increased education and better integration into the cannabis treatment approach.

“Reducing stigma through targeted education for program staff is critical,” says Dr. Florriann Fehr, co-lead researcher and nursing professor at Thompson Rivers University.

“Staff skepticism often comes from misunderstandings about cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment, highlighting a clear opportunity for improvement in recovery support.”

The study, recently published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, was conducted by UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) researchers. 

This collaboration between institutions in Kelowna and Kamloops sought to better understand patient and staff experiences with medically supervised cannabis use in a supportive recovery environment.

It examined patient and staff experiences at Maverick Supportive Recovery, a residential recovery centre in the BC interior.

Residential recovery centres provide structured, live-in environments where people receive treatment and support to manage substance use disorders.

While the results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale studies to fully assess the benefits and risks of incorporating medical cannabis into substance use recovery programs.

The study was funded by the Interior Universities Research Coalition and the BC Ministry of Health. Dr. Fehr will present the findings to the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki this June.

TRU is also planning the Medical Cannabis and Recovery forum on Saturday, April 26. The forum is open to the public, healthcare professionals and researchers interested in cannabis and recovery solutions. The forum will explore the evolving role of cannabis in harm reduction and addiction care.

Dr. Florriann Fehr, an associate professor in the TRU School of Nursing and principal investigator on the Maverick Research Project, is leading the forum, with guests like M.J. Milloy, research scientist with the BC Centre on Substance Use, Ian Mitchell, emergency physician at Royal Inland, and Zach Walsh, psychology professor at UBC and director of the Therapeutic Recreational and Problematic Substance Use lab, among others. 

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