# Exploring Bipolar Disorder Risk in Adolescent Cannabis Users > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-bipolar-disorder-risk/ > **Published:** 2026-04-25T23:54:19-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:54:41-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the adolescent cannabis use bipolar disorder risk and its impact on mental health. Understand clinical evidence and risk factors for young users. --- #### Clinical Takeaway Adolescents who use cannabis have significantly elevated risk of developing psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and [anxiety disorders](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-anxiety-treatment-benefits/) through young adulthood compared to non-users. The risk appears dose-dependent and occurs across multiple psychiatric conditions rather than isolated symptom clusters. Clinicians should consider cannabis exposure history when assessing psychiatric symptoms in adolescent and young adult patients. ### #14 Adolescent Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders. **Citation:** Young-Wolff Kelly C et al. *[Adolescent Cannabis Use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders.* JAMA health forum. 2026. PMID: 41719031. **Study type:** Journal Article  |  **Topic area:** Pediatrics  |  **CED Score:** 11 Design: 0 Journal: 4 N: 0 Recency: 3 Pop: 3 Human: 1 Risk: 0 **Methodological Considerations:** - Self-reported outcomes — recall and social-desirability bias risk **Abstract:** IMPORTANCE: As cannabis becomes more accessible and socially accepted, concerns have grown about its potential implications for [adolescent mental health](https://cedclinic.com/conduct-disorder-substance-use-disorders-teens/). While prior research has linked adolescent [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) to psychiatric symptoms, few large, population-based, longitudinal studies have examined associations with clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of incident psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders during adolescence and young adulthood. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study included adolescents aged 13 to 17 years who were screened for past-year cannabis use at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2016 to 2023. Adolescents were followed up through age 25 years or until December 31, 2023. Data were analyzed from February 21, 2024, to August 27, 2025. EXPOSURE: Time-varying self-reported past-year cannabis use based on universal, confidential screening during standard pediatric care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Incident clinician-diagnosed psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders, which were identified through electronic health records using International Classification of Disease codes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to measure the strength of associations between adolescent cannabis use and incident psychiatric diagnoses, with adjustments for sex, race and ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index, insurance type, and time-varying alcohol and other substance use. RESULTS: Of 463 396 adolescents (234 114 males [50.5%]; mean [SD] age, 14.5 [1.3] years) included in the sample, 136 708 were Hispanic individuals (29.5%), 93 737 were non-Hispanic Asian individuals (20.2%), 35 346 were non-Hispanic Black individuals (7.6%), 153 102 were non-Hispanic White individuals (33.0%), and 18 795 individuals were multiracial or of other races or ethnicities (4.1%). At baseline, 26 345 adolescents (5.7%) self-rep  |   |  [View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41719031/)[Full Text ↗](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12924094/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6839) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read the Guide](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-guide/) [Endocannabinoid System and Adolescent Psychiatric Risk](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-new-psychiatric-diagnoses-risk/) Explore how the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) influences psychiatric risk in adolescents, with a focus on cannabis exposure and mental health outcomes. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-new-psychiatric-diagnoses-risk/) [Adolescent Cannabis Use & Mental Health Risk: Clinical Evidence](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychotic-disorder-risk/) Review clinical evidence linking adolescent cannabis use to various mental health risks, including psychotic and mood disorders. [Explore Evidence](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychotic-disorder-risk/) Have thoughts on this? 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