Canada Study Links Daily Cannabis Use to Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders

A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry finds that daily cannabis use and cannabis‑use disorder are associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, psychosis and addiction. The researchers point out that youth and young adults are most vulnerable; they note, “Cannabis use often begins in adolescence and young adulthood, when anxiety, depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder typically first develop.” The authors conclude that Canada’s legalization of cannabis has not yielded mental‑health benefits and may increase risk for these conditions.

The study emphasizes the need for targeted public‑health interventions aimed at young people who use cannabis regularly, given the potential long‑term mental‑health consequences.