Cannabis can be used as a psychedelic in therapy, but it’s not for everyone, some mental health providers say [Video]

Some Canadians who suffer from mental illness are turning to psychedelic therapy that utilizes cannabis instead of better-known psychedelics such as psilocybin.

In psychedelic therapy — an emerging field, no matter the substance — patients use drugs that alter their consciousness, under supervision of a trained therapist, to try to help with hard-to-treat conditions.

Under the right conditions, cannabis can be a useful tool in therapy, says Vancouver registered psychologist Hillary McBride, including that it is easier to access than some psychedelics. 

Not only is cannabis legal in Canada for people 19 and over, but there is familiarity with prescribing it, she says, “which means that people can go to their doctor … and talk about drug interactions and talk about health risks.”

In contrast, to access psilocybin or MDMA for psychedelic therapy, a health care professional must apply to Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP) on behalf of the patient.