I’m pleased to share a recently published article I co-authored with Dr. Leah Sera, The Cannabis–Mind Connection: A Clinician’s Perspective on Mental Health Practice, Harm Reduction, and Racial Equity. This piece reflects what many clinicians and clients already know—cannabis is part of the mental health landscape, yet it often goes unaddressed in care.

Rather than debating whether cannabis is “good” or “bad,” the article focuses on how clinicians can ethically and compassionately engage with clients who are already using cannabis. Using a harm reduction and justice-oriented lens, we explore stigma, the racialized history of prohibition, and the importance of culturally responsive, person-centered practice.

Our hope is that this work helps normalize honest conversations about cannabis and supports more inclusive, informed mental health care.

I recently published a commentary in Social Work in Public Health that speaks directly to the mission of Canna Heals: advancing healing, equity, and evidence-informed cannabis education for our communities. The article examines how cannabis prohibition has shaped public health outcomes and continues to disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, even as legalization expands across the country.

What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

Your body has a built-in system that helps keep everything balanced—from your mood and sleep to your appetite and immune response. This system is called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Think of it as your body’s "regulator," constantly working behind the scenes to keep you feeling good and functioning at your best.

Cannabis has a long and complex history, once widely used for medicinal purposes in the 19th century before disappearing from the official U.S. Pharmacopoeia in the early 20th century (Pisanti & Bifulco, 2017). Today, cannabis has re-emerged with both medical and recreational markets, leading many to wonder: what’s the difference?