Marijuana and Psychosis: Policy Implications for Treatment Providers

In 2017, the annual prevalence of marijuana use rose to 24% among 8 ^th to 12 ^th graders, despite decreases in rates of other illicit substance use. ¹ This is of concern, as increasing use is coupled with declining perception of harm among adolescents, ¹ increasing potency of cannabis, ² ease of adolescents’ access to marijuana, ¹ and progressive medicalization and legalization of marijuana. Exposure to high levels of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol through cannabis use triggers repeated activation of the endogenous mesolimbic dopaminergic system, desensitization, and progressive enhancement of acquired susceptibility to psychosis.