Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Mental Health Risks: New Study
New research is raising concerns about the potential link between adolescent cannabis use and the development of serious mental health conditions. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association associates early cannabis use with an increased risk for psychosis, bipolar disorder, and other mental health challenges.
Researchers followed nearly 500,000 teenagers, aged 13 to 17, over an eight-year period, confidentially screening them for cannabis use as part of routine pediatric care. The study, conducted by scientists from Kaiser Permanente, UC San Francisco, the Public Health Institute, and the University of Southern California, then examined the onset of clinician-diagnosed mental health disorders within that same group. “We examined the later onset of clinician-diagnosed psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders within that same cohort, whereas many studies have only focused on one mental health outcome at a time,” explained Kelly Young-Wolff, lead author of the study and a senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
While associations were observed across several mental health conditions, the strongest links were found with psychotic and bipolar disorders, with the risk approximately doubling for those who used cannabis as adolescents. Importantly, the researchers found that teens reported cannabis use roughly one to two years before receiving a mental health diagnosis. This sequence – use preceding diagnosis – is a key element driving concern among researchers.
The study accounted for a range of other potential risk factors, including sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, insurance type, and other substance use. “some teens were using cannabis as a way to try to cope with early mental health symptoms, but we found that our associations remained, even after accounting for prior psychiatric conditions,” Young-Wolff noted.
This doesn’t definitively prove that cannabis causes these disorders, researchers emphasize. However, the temporal relationship – cannabis use occurring before the onset of mental illness – is a significant finding. The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a complex relationship between cannabis and mental health, particularly in vulnerable populations.
The findings are resonating with clinicians on the front lines. Dr. Natalie Laub, a pediatrician at Rady Children’s Hospital, reports a dramatic increase in adolescents presenting to the emergency room with cannabis-related issues. “Prior to 2020, we were only seeing a handful of adolescents a year, maybe 20 or 30. In 2025, we saw nearly 600 adolescents present to the emergency room because they needed treatment of some kind for their cannabis use,” she said.
Dr. Laub also points to a change in the potency of cannabis products available today. Compared to previous generations, current cannabis products contain significantly higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the drug’s effects. This increased potency may contribute to the observed mental health risks.
The study also highlighted existing health inequities. Teens on Medicaid and those from lower-income neighborhoods were found to be more likely to use cannabis, raising concerns that the wider commercialization of the drug could exacerbate mental health disparities. This suggests that increased access to cannabis may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations already facing systemic challenges.
The normalization of cannabis use, particularly among young people, is a significant concern. “We see this public health crisis emerging in children and young adolescents with early initiation of cannabis use. They think it’s cool, they think it’s safe,” Dr. Laub explained. “They start young, and then they develop these long-term consequences.”
Parents are often underestimating the risks, according to Dr. Laub. “My message to parents would be, start talking about this sooner than you think is necessary. If you’re not talking about the dangers of cannabis until your child is 12, 13 or 14, it’s probably too late.”
Recent data also suggests a link between cannabis use and increased rates of depression and suicidal ideation, particularly among adolescents and young adults. A report in Psychology Today highlighted studies showing that nearly 30% of cannabis users develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), with adolescent users facing twice the risk of addiction compared to adults.
Researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to fully understand the long-term effects of cannabis on the developing brain. As cannabis becomes increasingly available and socially accepted, a more comprehensive understanding of its potential risks and benefits is crucial. The current findings underscore the importance of preventative measures, open communication between parents and children, and continued research into the complex relationship between cannabis and mental health.
As , the National Public Radio reported on this study, highlighting the growing concern among medical professionals regarding the impact of early cannabis use on adolescent mental health.