# WHO Updates Cannabis Risk Assessment After 10 Years > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/who-cannabis-induced-psychotic-episodes-risk-update/ > **Published:** 2026-08-26T07:30:52-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:46:49-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** WHO updates its assessment highlighting cannabis induced psychotic episodes risk, emphasizing clinical implications for mental health care. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance #67 Notable Clinical Interest Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. Mental HealthNeurologyPolicyResearchSafetyPainAnxiety Why This Matters This WHO update on cannabis risks signifies important implications for clinicians and their patients. The confirmation of a link between [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and an increased risk of psychotic episodes, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to mental health issues, underscores the need for healthcare professionals to consider this factor when counseling patients about [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). This update also highlights the importance of ongoing research and evidence-based approaches in guiding clinical practice related to cannabis. Clinical Summary The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its assessment on cannabis risks, citing new evidence linking its use to an elevated risk of psychotic episodes, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to [mental health disorders](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-receptor-type-2-schizophrenia/). This update underscores the importance for clinicians to consider potential psychiatric complications when assessing and managing patients using cannabis. Dr. Caplan’s Take “As a seasoned family physician specializing in [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/), I find the World Health Organization’s updated assessment on cannabis risks particularly noteworthy. The new research underscores a connection between [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and an elevated risk of psychotic episodes, especially among individuals with predisposed vulnerabilities. However, it is crucial to emphasize that this finding should be interpreted within the context of ongoing research and individual patient factors.” Clinical Perspective 🔬 A recent update by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a strengthened association between [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and an elevated risk of psychotic episodes, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to [mental health disorders](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-receptor-type-2-schizophrenia/). This underscores the complexity of cannabis’s impact on patient health, as factors such as age at first use, frequency, potency, and specific [cannabinoid profiles](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-clinical-trials-mental-health-march-2026/) may significantly influence outcomes. In clinical practice, healthcare providers should remain vigilant for signs of psychosis in patients who use cannabis, especially those with a personal or family history of mental illness. This awareness can facilitate early intervention and potentially mitigate the negative consequences associated with cannabis use. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20WHO%20updates%20its%20assessment%20of%20cannabis%20risks%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20ten%20years%20%7C%20%D0%A3%D0%9D%D0%9D%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2F%3Fp%3D74845)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2F%3Fp%3D74845)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20WHO%20updates%20its%20assessment%20of%20cannabis%20risks%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20ten%20years%20%7C%20%D0%A3%D0%9D%D0%9D%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2F%3Fp%3D74845)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) Related Articles - [New Mexico Cannabis Tracking Switch: What Patients Should Know](https://cedclinic.com/new-mexico-cannabis-tracking-system-switch-2026/) - [Kentucky Medical Cannabis in Hospitals: What the Ryan’s Law Proposal Could Mean](https://cedclinic.com/kentucky-hospital-medical-cannabis-policy-ryans-law/) - [In the Mix: 19 More Articles — June 29, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/2026-cannabis-clinical-relevance-updates/) 📰 Source: [https://unn.ua/en/news/who-updates-its-assessment-of-cannabis-risks-for-the-first-time-in-ten-years](https://unn.ua/en/news/who-updates-its-assessment-of-cannabis-risks-for-the-first-time-in-ten-years) Further Reading CED Clinic Blog[Why Cannabis Works](https://cedclinic.com/why-cannabis-works/) Evidence Watch[Cannabis and Heart Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-study/) CED Clinic Blog[Cannabis for Sleep](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-for-sleep/) [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. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabis not ‘safer’ for younger people, linked to early psychosis – 1News](https://cedclinic.com/topic-mental-health/) Explore findings linking cannabis use in youth to early psychosis, highlighting important mental health considerations. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/topic-mental-health/) [Brain glutamate changes could link cannabis use to a higher risk of psychosis](https://cedclinic.com/brain-glutamate-changes-could-link-cannabis-use-to-a-higher-risk-of-psychosis/) Discover recent research on brain chemistry changes associated with cannabis use and [psychosis risk](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/). [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/brain-glutamate-changes-could-link-cannabis-use-to-a-higher-risk-of-psychosis/) [High-potency cannabis linked to mental health risks, expert warns](https://cedclinic.com/high-potency-cannabis-linked-to-mental-health-risks-expert-warns/) An expert analysis on how high-potency cannabis may increase mental health risks including psychosis. [Explore Insights](https://cedclinic.com/high-potency-cannabis-linked-to-mental-health-risks-expert-warns/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).