WHY IT MATTERS: Parents and young people should understand that cannabis use during adolescence is not a low-stakes decision, because the developing brain processes cannabinoids very differently than an adult brain does, with potential consequences for long-term mental health. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Adolescent cannabis use carries meaningful psychiatric risks because the developing brain, particularly the endocannabinoid system, is uniquely vulnerable to disruption from exogenous cannabinoids during the years of active neurodevelopment that extend into the mid-twenties. Exposure during this window has been associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, with higher-potency THC products amplifying these concerns considerably.
Cannabis and Psychosis: 5 Reasons This Study Doesn’t Say What You Think
A new study shows a 5x rise in cannabis-linked psychosis hospitalizations—but is it the plant, or the policy? This blog pulls back the curtain on what’s really behind the numbers: vague diagnoses, missing context, and a health system still catching up. Because when cannabis becomes the scapegoat, we miss the chance to protect the people actually at risk.