Harm Reduction and Cannabis: Strategies for Safer Use

Although cannabis is often seen as less harmful than other drugs or alcohol, there are still very real risks associated with cannabis use. This presentation aims to give concrete, evidence-based harm reduction strategies to share with patients about minimizing potential harms from cannabis use so that patients can make the most informed decision about their use and goals.

Dr. Kate Rean currently works in Seattle, Washington at the VA Puget Sound’s Addiction Treatment Center (ATC) in her primary role as lead psychiatrist of general addictions, co-occurring disorders, and women's programming.  Her schooling began in Texas where she earned her BA in psychology from Trinity University and medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Rean then moved to a greener location to finish training at the University of Washington where she completed her general psychiatry residency and addiction psychiatry fellowship training. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in UW’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences where she acts as supervisor to numerous resident and fellows. Her true passion in psychiatry is clinical work with patients with co-occurring disorders and the intersection of substance use disorders and serious mental illness.