Medical cannabis could speed recovery, especially at community recovery homes, pilot study indicates

published on April 7, 2025 in Medical Xpress

A new pilot study from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University examined how medically supervised cannabis use in a residential recovery home may support people in treatment for substance use challenges.

The study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, was conducted by researchers from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University.

Participants reported that cannabis helped them manage pain, anxiety, depression and sleep issues—key symptoms that can complicate recovery.

“Our findings suggest medical cannabis could play a meaningful role in reducing cravings and improving retention in recovery programs,” says Dr. Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at UBC Okanagan and co-lead researcher…