Symposium 2026 - Speakers

2026 Faculty and Speakers

This symposium brings together some of the most respected clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders in the field of cannabinoid medicine. Each year, leading experts from across Canada and internationally convene to share emerging research, clinical evidence, and real-world prescribing experience.

Recognized by many in the medical community as a premier forum for scientific exchange in cannabinoid therapeutics, the event serves as a global meeting point for advancing evidence, shaping clinical frameworks, and elevating the standard of education in this rapidly evolving field.

The speakers featured below represent the multidisciplinary expertise that defines the symposium and its role as a leading platform for rigorous discussion and collaboration in clinical cannabinoid research and practice.

Dr. James MacKillop directs the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Dr. MacKillop holds the Peter Boris Chair in Addictions Research and a Canada Research Chair in Translational Addiction Research, and also directs the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research. Dr. MacKillop trained as a clinical psychologist at Binghamton University and Brown University and his research uses a multi-disciplinary approach to gain unique insights into addiction and medical cannabis. His laboratory has produced more than 450 peer-reviewed publications and other works, and has been recognized by awards from the Society for Addiction Psychology, the American Psychological Association, and the Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Foundation. Dr. MacKillop is an elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Dr. Evan Cole Lewis is a neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist with academic appointments at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. His clinical and research work focuses on medical cannabis and psychedelic therapies for neurologic disorders, including epilepsy, chronic headache, concussion, and functional neurological disorder. He has extensive experience prescribing medical cannabis in adults and children and has served as a co-investigator and steering committee member on clinical trials in drug-resistant epilepsy and chronic headache. Dr. Lewis is the author of a comprehensive medical cannabis dosing textbook for clinicians, providing practical, evidence-informed guidance on formulation selection, titration, and safety across adult and pediatric populations. The text integrates clinical trial data with real-world prescribing experience and is used internationally as a reference for medical cannabis education.

Matthew Hill, PhD, is a neuroscientist and professor at the University of Calgary, affiliated with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education. His research focuses on the endocannabinoid system and its role in regulating stress, with a particular emphasis on understanding how its disruption contributes to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Dr. Hill’s work bridges fundamental neuroscience and clinical application, advancing the understanding of cannabinoid-based mechanisms in mental health.

Dr. Clarke is a staff Anesthesiologist, Director Pain Services, Director Good Hope Ehlers Danlos Clinic, Medical Director of The Pain Research Unit, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto. Dr. Clarke is the Director of Pain Services and the Pain Research Unit at the Toronto General Hospital(TGH).  He is the knowledge Translation Chair for the University of Toronto Centre For the Study of Pain and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management. Dr. Clarke has played a leading role in educating the public about pain control, alternatives to opioids as a pioneering strategy at TGH, and the need for further studies on the beneficial and adverse effects of cannabis. He is a champion of evidence-based solutions for the opioid crisis and a national pain and addictions strategy. He has been recognized for the development of the Transitional Pain Program and has authored over 100 peer reviewed publications.

Daniel Bear is a Toronto-based researcher, professor, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in drug policy, cannabis education, and applied social research. Daniel is a professor in the Faculty of Social and Community Services at Humber College, where he teaches courses on drugs policy, criminology, and social policy. He has led multiple federally funded research projects on cannabis education, including the Pharmacists as Cannabis Educators (PACE) project and a human-centred design initiative that produced the Weed Out Misinformation harm reduction campaign. He is the author of Cannabasics: A Primer for Health and Social Service Providers (Canadian Public Health Association, 2023) and has published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, among other peer-reviewed outlets. He holds a PhD in Social Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where his doctoral research examined the intersection of drug enforcement and policy implementation at the street level.

Erin is a nurse practitioner with almost four decades of experience in a variety of healthcare settings. She holds an undergraduate nursing degree from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree from York University. She completed her primary care NP diploma at the University of Ottawa in 2014. As a former Clinical Nurse Specialist in pediatric oncology, Erin has been treating patients with medical cannabis for over 20 years. She began independently authorizing medical cannabis in 2017. Erin has an extensive background in clinical practice education and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. She presents frequently on the topic of medical cannabis, both to healthcare professionals and the lay public.

Dr. Elizabeth Thompson holds a PhD in pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in cannabinoid science related to concussion, neuroinflammation, and pain. She also holds an MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology (University of Texas) and a BSc Honours in Molecular Biology (University of Waterloo). With over 20 years’ experience in contact sports (both personally and professionally), she integrates athlete health, performance, and policy into her research. She contributes to an NFL/NFLPA-funded clinical trial on cannabinoid use and the therapeutic potential in elite contact sport athletes. Dr. Thompson has published in leading academic journals such as Sports Medicine, BMC Neurology and Sports, and leads Train With Mary Jane (Mary Jane Athletics), an education-based company translating complex cannabinoid science into accessible, evidence-based education.

David Fraser is one of Canada’s most decorated generals since WWII and a respected leader in both public and private sectors. Commissioned as an Infantry Officer after graduating from Carleton University in 1980, he served over 30 years with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, rising from platoon to divisional command.

Michael Koehn, MACP, RCC is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, a co-PI of the upcoming Maverick Phase 2 Study, and the founder of Cannsolve, a medical cannabis clinic and research company. His research interests include harm reduction and recidivism mitigation in vulnerable populations. He is the author the Maverick Medical Cannabis Program, a novel approach to the overdose crisis using cannabis as an adjunctive treatment to improve treatment outcomes. Michael is working towards a future where cannabis-based medicines are recognized as life saving interventions for people in recovery from problematic substance use.

Dr. Luiza Marouelli is a Brazilian-trained Obstetrician-Gynecologist with a clinical focus on integrative women’s health across the lifespan, with particular interest in endometriosis, perimenopause, and hormone-related conditions. Her work emphasizes patient-centred, longitudinal care that addresses both physical and mental well-being. Dr. Marouelli has a growing interest in the role of the endocannabinoid system in women’s health and the potential application of cannabinoid-based therapies in the management of chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, and perimenopause-associated concerns such as sleep disturbances, mood changes and sexual disfunction.Her approach integrates emerging evidence with clinical practice, supporting thoughtful, individualized treatment strategies while prioritizing safety and education.

Dr. Hudson Reddon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Research Scientist at the BC Centre on Substance Use. His research program investigates impact of cannabis use on substance use trajectories and public health outcomes among people who use unregulated drugs.

Dr. Dilshaan Panjwani is a Palliative Care Physician and Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Her work focuses on pain and symptom management for patients with advanced illness, alongside a strong interest in equity-informed care, medical education, and clinician wellbeing. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, she is engaged in global health through Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, supporting access to palliative care in resource-limited settings.

Dr. Karolina Urban is the Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs at Avicanna where she leads the development and execution of Avicanna’s preclinical and clinical research programs including collaborations with leading neurologists, clinicians, and scientists. Dr. Urban also leads the company’s medical affairs efforts and has successfully developed and implemented global training programs for healthcare providers interested in authorizing medical cannabis. Dr. Urban has a MSc in Neurosciences and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Toronto, with expertise in neuroimaging and brain injury. She is a former professional hockey player winning the Clarkson Cup in the C.W.H.L. and an academic all-Canadian. Currently, she is on the board of Scientific Advisors for MYndspan, a brain analytics company, and member of Board of Directors for Kinark Child and Family Services Foundation.

Aras founded Avicanna with the vision of establishing an international biopharmaceutical company with a strict focus on medical and pharmaceutical applications of naturally derived medicines including cannabinoids. His experience in biotechnology and management consulting have been integral to Avicanna’s thought leadership and progress pertaining to R&D and clinical development of cannabinoid-based products and the commercialization of the company’s extensive pipeline of proprietary products. Since 2016 Aras has successfully led a team of executives and scientists to navigate the complex, and highly regulated cannabis industry across several international markets, with a focus on scientific data and an evidence-based approach to product development. Aras holds an International Master’s in Management from EADA Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a Bachelor of Economics from York University.

• MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED •

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Be part of the conversation shaping the future of clinical cannabis care.

2026 Faculty and Speakers

James MacKillop

Evan Lewis

Matthew Hill

Hance Clarke

Daniel Bear

Erin Mignault

Elizabeth Thompson

David Fraser

Michael Koehn

Luiza Marouelli

Hudson Reddon

Dilshaan Panjwani

Karolina Urban

Aras Azadian

• MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED •

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