Cannabis & Psychosis
Cannabis, Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders: A New Line of Research
Frequent cannabis use, early age of initiation, and high THC cannabis consumption are important risk factors in the development of lifelong psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. For those already diagnosed with schizophrenia, cannabis use often leads to more severe symptoms and worse treatment outcomes.
Still, many people dismiss these scientific findings as a gross exaggeration and a moral crusade against people who consume cannabis.
In 2023, as it has become increasingly clear that cannabis use can be a factor in the development and prognosis of psychotic disorders, CERP created a line of research and public education to advance knowledge, awareness, and solutions in this area.
Educational Resources
For Clinicians
CannTalk was designed to equip Coordinated Specialty Care teams and behavioral health clinicians with skills to communicate more effectively about cannabis and guide clients towards reducing or quitting their cannabis use. CannTalk offers providers with an online training and materials to facilitate conversations.
CannTalk resources include:
For public agencies, community agencies, researchers, and the public
Cannabis, Schizophrenia, and Other Psychotic Disorders Symposium (2024)
This one-day event brought the most qualified scientists in the world together to share the latest research on:
- The link between frequent use of cannabis, particularly products with high THC concentration, and the development of acute episodes of cannabis-induced psychosis;
- The increased risk individuals who experience cannabis-induced psychosis have of developing lifelong psychotic disorders later in life. The afternoon was dedicated to discussing possible clinical and public health approaches to reduce the risks of cannabis consumption as it relates to psychotic disorders.
The recordings and slides from this event are available here.
For the public
The Role of Cannabis in Psychosis and Schizophrenia
In 2023, the CERP team added a page to the LearnAboutCannabisWA.org website titled The Role of Cannabis in Psychosis and Schizophrenia. Using accessible language with up-to-date information about how cannabis influences the development of psychotic disorders, this page is available to anyone who wants to improve their understanding of this important topic.
Research Projects
CannTalk – A Brief Intervention for Discussing Cannabis with Clients Experiencing Psychosis
CERP conducted a pilot feasibility study of a brief clinical intervention to reduce cannabis related harms among people experiencing psychosis, in collaboration with Denise Walker, PhD from the UW School of Social Work. Read more about this project here
A Matter of Equity: People Living with Psychosis are Disproportionately Affected by Cannabis Adverse Events
This ongoing project is analyzing data from the International Cannabis Policy Study, collected between 2020 and 2023 in Washington State. It aims to compare the prevalence of cannabis-related adverse effects among people who used cannabis in the last 12 months, according to their mental health diagnosis (no mental health diagnosis, psychotic disorder diagnosis, or any other mental health diagnosis but psychotic disorder). Read more about this project here.
