Objectives
- Explore cannabis as a potential harm reduction tool for vulnerable communities.
- Advocate for equitable policies and increased access to cannabis for therapeutic purposes
Approach | Strategies
The project employed principles of participation, social justice, and harm reduction. We prioritized the perspectives of those with lived experience and integrated insights from CARMHA Project Peer Researchers who had direct experience with mental health and cannabis use.
Outcomes | Results
Our research findings recommended a policy shift to enhance access to cannabis for therapeutic and mental health reasons, highlighting its potential benefits for at-risk populations. Our research team also developed a unique peer-led research approach, documented through our Peer-to-Peer Research Resource Guide.
Working closely with Habitus within CARMHA’s committee meetings, discussions, planning sessions, survey development, journey mapping, and Research 101 classes was crucial for the project’s success. Without this collaborative approach, I wouldn’t have felt confident conducting interviews. This lack of confidence could have been evident to participants, potentially affecting the credibility and quality of our results.