The claim that teenagers who use cannabis have a dramatically higher risk of developing psychotic disorders is accurate and is supported by recent research. A study from the University Of Toronto titled Psychological Medicine found that teenagers who used cannabis within the last year were 11 times more likely to develop psychotic disorders compared to nonusers. They also found a 27-fold increase in teens requiring emergency room visits or hospitalization. Interestingly, this elevated risk was not found in adults aged 20-33, indicating that adolescence is a particularly critical window for these mental health impacts. Experts, including Dr. Leslie Hulvershorn, a child psychiatrist, have noted the strong association between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms in youths, reinforcing the concern over early cannabis use.
There are some counterpoints to this argument, though. First, teens who use cannabis may already have underlying mental health issues, like anxiety, depression, or early psychosis. These teens might be using cannabis to self-medicate, leading to the association between cannabis and mental health disorders. Second, many studies don't account for other contributing factors, such as socioeconomic status, exposure to trauma, or the use of other substances.
This risk is specific to adolescence, reinforcing concerns about early cannabis use. However, counterarguments suggest that some teens may already have underlying mental health issues and use cannabis to self-medicate, and studies may not account for other factors like trauma or socioeconomic status. While cannabis poses risks, it may not be the sole cause of psychosis in all cases.
