With legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis across many U.S. states, there has been an increase in the production and availability of over-the-counter cannabis products specifically advertised to alleviate mental health disorders. Self-medication of mental health symptoms using cannabis is common, and the advertisement and sale of these products will likely increase this practice. However, the effects of cannabis on mental health symptoms are poorly understood. There are limitations and confounded results in available cannabis research, as well as conflicting information regarding risks and outcomes of cannabis use. This article addresses the potential treatment dilemmas that a psychologist faces when a client discloses that they are self-medicating using cannabis for their mental health symptoms and considers the principles and standards of the American Psychological Association Ethics Code relevant to this dilemma to promote appropriate therapeutic practice.
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