Philippe Lucas has a Masters degree in Studies in Policy and Practice from the University of Victoria and is a PhD student at the University of Victoria’s Social Dimensions of Health program.  He is a Research Affiliate with the Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia and a founding Board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies Canada and the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.  His scientific research interests, projects and publications include the therapeutic use of cannabis, Canadian and international cannabis policy, and the use of cannabis, ibogaine, and ayahuasca in the treatment of addiction.  Currently, he is a Primary or Co-Investigator on a number of studies examining cannabis substitution theory, and Coordinator and Co-Investigator of an observational study of ayahuasca-assisted treatment for addiction and stress.  In 1999 Philippe founded the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, one of Canada’s longest running non-profit medical cannabis dispensaries, for which he acted as Executive Director until 2009.