07/30/24 Philippe Lucas PhD
Philippe Lucas PhD is a cannabis and psychedelic researcher, a lifelong patient access advocate, and President of SABI Mind, a clinic group providing access to psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of mental health, pain and substance use disorder. Philippe founded the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, one of Canada’s first non-profit medical cannabis dispensaries, and was a founding Board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies Canada and co-founder of the Victoria Association of Psychedelic Studies. He is the Primary Investigator of the Canadian Psychedelic Survey (2022) and co-PI of the Global Psychedelic Survey (2023), and previously coordinated a prospective observational study of ayahuasca as a treatment for trauma and addiction in cooperation with a BC indigenous Band. Additionally, Philippe worked as VP, Global Patient Research & Access at Tilray (2014-21), where he was part of the leadership team for the company’s first 7 years of operation and oversaw a comprehensive international clinical and observational cannabis research program.
Philippe is extremely community involved, serving as a Victoria City Councillor and Board member of the Capital Regional District from 2008-2011. He has been invited to present his research before the Canadian House of Commons and Senate on numerous occasions, and has worked with governments around the globe to develop evidence-based drug policies. Philippe has received a number of accolades for his patient research and advocacy, including the Americans for Safe Access Researcher of the Year Award 2021, the Cannabis Council of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal."