What are the effects on mental health of cannabis use?
There is growing evidence that people with serious mental illness, including depression and psychosis, are more likely to use cannabis or have used it for long periods of time in the past. Regular use of the drug has appeared to double the risk of developing a psychotic episode or long-term schizophrenia. However, does cannabis cause depression and schizophrenia or do people with these disorders use it as a medication? Recent research conducted in the UK strongly suggests that any casual link between cannabis and schizophrenia is extremely marginal – efficacy rates were reported at only at 2% window. However, individuals who do use cannabis and who have a history of mental health issues may find the specific disorder exacerbated significantly, not only by cannabis, but by the use of any mind or mood ordering chemical. Over the past few years, research has strongly suggested that there is a clear link between early cannabis use and later mental health problems in those with a genetic vu
