Cannabis as a risk factor for psychosis in vulnerable teens: Implications for treatment

Smoking cannabis is common among adolescents and young adults and has numerous negative effects. This article describes data which support the hypothesis that cannabis may induce psychotic symptoms and contribute to the onset of psychotic disorders, specifically in a vulnerable subset of youths. This vulnerability, which consists of genetic variation and which may be manifest in particular behaviors and experiences, including schizotypy is explored. Possible motivations for use among vulnerable teenagers are discussed, the understanding of which may inform treatment efforts by clinicians to curtail use. As various psychotherapies appear equally effective in reducing cannabis use in comparable populations, there may be a nonspecific component consisting of clinician contact and education which may be of use to nonspecialists in addressing cannabis abuse.