Adolescent Cannabis Use: It’s Safe Right?

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used psycho-active substances in the world. It has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes, with use frequently initiated during adolescence. Although once thought to be harmless, a growing body of evidence has associated adolescent cannabis use with adverse outcomes. A comprehensive literature review was conducted including cross-sectional and prospective studies examining the risk factors and potential impact of adolescent cannabis use.

The findings of this review indicated that demographic variables such as age, male sex, and low socioeconomic status may predict the initiation of cannabis use during adolescence, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, impulsivity, and cannabis use of other family members and friends. Adverse consequences of adolescent cannabis use include depression, psychosis, suicidality, as well as negative impacts on overall functioning, cognition, and educational achievement.

Although this area of research continues to be affected by numerous methodological limitations, there is strong evidence indicating a myriad of potential harms associated with the use of cannabis during adolescence.