Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2016
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Page: A4
Referenced: http://mapinc.org/url/rX3mb7JB

MARIJUANA COULD HELP TREAT DRUG ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH

Using marijuana could help some alcoholics and people addicted to
opioids kick their habits, a UBC study has found. "Research suggests
that people may be using cannabis as an exit drug to reduce the use of
substances that are potentially more harmful, such as opioid pain
medication," says the study's lead investigator Zach Walsh, an
associate professor of psychology at UBC's Okanagan campus.

This comprehensive systematic review of research on the medical
cannabis use and mental health also found some evidence that cannabis
may help with symptoms of depression, PTSD and social anxiety.
However, the review concluded that cannabis use might not be
recommended for conditions such as bipolar disorder and psychosis.

"In reviewing the limited evidence on medical cannabis, it appears
that patients and others who have advocated for cannabis as a tool for
harm reduction and mental health have some valid points," says Walsh.

Walsh and his team systematically reviewed all studies of medical
cannabis and mental health, as well as reviews on non-medical cannabis
use - making the review one of the most comprehensive reports to date
on the effects of medical cannabis on mental health.

With legalization of marijuana possible as early as next year in
Canada, its important to identify ways to help mental health
professionals move beyond stigma to better understand the risk and
benefits of cannabis is increasingly important, adds Walsh.

"There is not currently a lot of clear guidance on how mental health
professionals can best work with people who are using cannabis for
medical purposes," says Walsh.

"With the end of prohibition, telling people to simply stop using may
no longer be as feasible an option. Knowing how to consider cannabis
in the treatment equation will become a necessity."

Walsh's research was conducted with UBC's Michelle Thiessen, Kim
Crosby and Chris Carroll, Raul Gonzalez from Florida State University,
and Marcel Bonn-Miller from the National Centre for PTSD and Center
for Innovation and Implementation in California.

The study was recently published in the journal Clinical Psychology
Review.
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MAP posted-by: Matt