In the first study of its kind, research led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) sheds light on the ethical complexities and systemic barriers facing scientists conducting cannabis research funded by the for-profit cannabis industry. Recently published in the journal Social Science & Medicine , the qualitative study titled Canadian cannabis researcher perspectives on the conduct and sponsorship of scientific research by the for-profit cannabis industry reveals that while researchers are driven by a commitment to public health and high-quality research, systemic barriers often force them to rely on industry partnerships. Researchers adopt personal strategies-;such as prioritizing transparency, aligning values, and maintaining independence-;to navigate these relationships.
However, the study emphasizes that these challenges reflect structural issues that require systemic, rather than individual, solutions. "Cannabis researchers are deeply committed to conducting meaningful work that advances knowledge and improves lives," said Dr. Daniel Buchman, CAMH Scientist.
"However, we found that cannabis researchers perceive that the structural barriers and the regulatory context place them in a difficult position where they are concerned about scientific integrity, agenda bias, and conflicts of interest." The study involved 38 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of academic researchers, peer researchers, and clinicians across all Canadian provinces. Particip.