Conversations on Cannabis and Mental Health: Recommendations for Health and Social Care Providers from Indigenous 2SLGTBQQIA+ People in Canada

Abstract

With the recent legalization of cannabis in Canada, there is an urgent need for information about its effects on Indigenous populations due to the impact of cannabis on the mental health of Indigenous Peoples in Canada being largely unknown. Using the guiding principles of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), Sharing Circles were held to hear the needs and experiences of Indigenous People in relation to their mental health and cannabis use. From these engagements and using gender-based and distinctions-based analysis, four recommendations were developed for academic institutions, medical regulatory authorities and health and social care providers (HSCPs) to consider when caring for Indigenous People living with mental health issues. The findings point to the disconnection between recent research on medical cannabis and its availability to Indigenous People through accessible mediums, HSCPs, and the lack of cultural safety in health and social services. The four recommendations provided are helpful to both educate frontline HSCPs about the needs and experiences of Indigenous People and improve access to current information and best practices for Indigenous People who use cannabis for mental health from the regulatory and representation perspective.