Grant: Catalyst Grant: Cannabis and Mental Health - Veterans

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are one of the largest groups using cannabis under medical authorization in Canada. Some observations suggest that cannabis could help attenuate PTSD symptoms, but research on this topic is scant and there are important concerns about effectiveness and adverse effects. Despite the paucity of scientific evidence, many Veterans with PTSD are using cannabis and this seems to lead to variable mental health outcomes. Cannabis use parameters, other motives of use, as well as a range of psychosocial factors may contribute to this variability. This project focuses on veterans with PTSD and aims to: i) compare the sociodemographic, mental health and treatment profiles of people who are using cannabis versus those who are not, and characterize patterns of use, ii) determine how cannabis use relates to mental health outcomes and adverse effects, and identify factors that may influence these relationships, iii) Integrate findings from this study to plan future research studies and disseminate new knowledge about cannabis use in the context of PTSD for Veterans and their care providers. These aims will be addressed based on multiple sources of information. We will conduct analysis of administrative data from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). An online survey co-designed with people with lived experience will be circulated across VAC members with PTSD to enquire about current practices and past experiences related to cannabis use, as well as indices of mental health. Some Veterans with PTSD will be invited to online group discussions to share their lived experiences and opinions, thereby providing more in-depth views on cannabis use in the context of PTSD. A group of people with lived experience, scientists, clinicians and Veterans organizations will take part to workshops to integrate information from these sources and collectively plan an adapted research agenda and prepare information to be circulated about cannabis and PTSD.