Casual marijuana use in teens isn’t harmless. Here’s why.
The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), analyzed data from more than 68,000 teens involved in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health,
Specifically, teens who use cannabis recreationally were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression and to have suicidal thoughts than those who don't use pot at all. Teens who have cannabis use disorder were four times more likely to have mental health disorders than non-users.
The researchers also found a link between cannabis use and poor academic performance, skipping school and legal issues. Cannabis use also tends to feed into an unhealthy cycle with conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Specifically, teens who use cannabis recreationally were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression and to have suicidal thoughts than those who don't use pot at all. Teens who have cannabis use disorder were four times more likely to have mental health disorders than non-users.
The researchers also found a link between cannabis use and poor academic performance, skipping school and legal issues. Cannabis use also tends to feed into an unhealthy cycle with conditions such as depression and anxiety.
