As a research scientist at the BCCSU and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine (UBC), Dr. Reddon’s program of research is focused on improving the health and social inequities among structurally marginalized people who use unregulated drugs. Most recently, his focus is to conduct innovative longitudinal research to identify the risks, as well as the potential benefits, of evolving cannabis use/access patterns among people at highest risk of overdose during the fentanyl era. He is also interested in investigating the predictors of HIV disease progression and engagement with HIV care among medically underserved people who use drugs.

Dr. Reddon has an established track record of attracting research funds as a principal investigator (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Public Health Agency of Canada) and has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers in high impact academic journals (a full list is available here). He also has a keen interest in teaching, and completed a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Toronto. He has been involved in the design and delivery of curriculum among undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of health equity, medicine and chronic disease management at the University of British Columbia, and Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Reddon completed his graduate training at McMaster University in Health Research Methodology and Clinical Epidemiology, and is an active member of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and the International Cannabinoid Research Society. His research program is supported by a Michael Smith Health Research BC-St. Paul’s Foundation/BC Centre on Substance Use Scholar Award (2024).

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Q: Tell me a bit about your recent research and what stands out most.

Most recently, in collaboration with colleagues, trainees and people with lived/living experience of substance use, I have investigated the potential of cannabis use as a harm reduction strategy during the drug toxicity crisis and overdose public health emergency. This work indicated that periods of frequent cannabis use were associated with decreases in a number of risk factors for fatal overdose among people who use drugs. This included decreases in injection drug use behaviours, exposure to fentanyl and rates of non-fatal overdose. This work also describes the frequency and effectiveness of intentional cannabis use to manage cravings and withdrawal for unregulated opioids and stimulants.

Q: I understand you and your team are working on some articles on psychedelics. Can you tell me about what you’ve learned?

The recent resurgence of psychedelic research has encouraged scientific and public debate surrounding the therapeutic applications and regulation of these substances. A recent study also found that 57 storefront dispensaries selling psychedelics were operating in Canada, including at least one in approximately one-in-three major urban population centres. In a 2025 Canadian study, Vancouver was found to have 15 storefront dispensaries selling psychedelic substances, trailing only Toronto. Notably, several of these dispensaries advertised health claims of psychedelic use without reference to supporting evidence. In response to this evidence, my colleagues and I conducted a survey study to investigate the experiences of people attending two psychedelic dispensaries in Vancouver, Canada, focusing on characterizing motives and identifying possible individual-level harms associated with use of substances purchased from these storefronts. They found that psilocybin was the most commonly accessed substance and therapeutic intent was the most common motivation for use. There were no serious adverse reactions reported and one in five participants reported experiencing a mild-moderate adverse reaction. Two studies from this project are currently under review with academic journals.

Q: I understand that you have many collaborators in this area of research. Can you tell me who you are working with and also who would you like to collaborate with more?

I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with several outstanding colleagues with expertise in epidemiology, medicine, sociology and health policy. These include researchers at the University of British Columbia (Drs. M-J Milloy, Zach Walsh, Eugenia Socías, Nadia Fairbairn) and Simon Fraser University (Drs. Kanna Hayashi, Kora DeBeck). Moving forward I would welcome additional partnerships with biochemical researchers investigating the endocannabinoid system and clinical researchers with expertise in the applications of cannabinoids for medical conditions, including chronic pain. That being said, collaborations with colleagues and trainees with shared interest in substance use research is always welcomed across disciplines.