NAMI believes that public policies should be guided by credible, evidence-based research. NAMI supports public policies and laws that facilitate research into the risks and benefits that marijuana and other cannabis products have on people with mental health conditions.
People with mental illness report using marijuana at a rate of at least twice that of people without mental illness. Specifically, according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 47.1% of adults with any mental illness and 38.8% of adults with serious mental illness used marijuana in the past year, compared to the 18.2% of adults with no mental illness who reported using marijuana in the same period. While still evolving, research on the effects of marijuana and other cannabis products is insufficient, particularly as it relates to people with or at risk of developing mental illness.
A number of studies have documented a correlation between marijuana and the onset of schizophrenia or other psychotic conditions. Heavy use of marijuana and related products during teen and young adult years can particularly increase the risk of triggering the onset of schizophrenia and psychosis. While studies are limited and vary in their conclusions, there is some evidence that regular marijuana use may hasten the onset of symptoms of mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression) and anxiety disorders, particularly among young people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a report that emphasized the lack of comprehensive research on the therapeutic effects of Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in marijuana, and expressed concerns about potential safety risks, including liver injuries, negative interactions with other drugs, drowsiness that may affect driving, and the possibility of male reproductive toxicity. However, preliminary studies suggest that CBD may have potential positive effects for some mental health symptoms. Additionally, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reports that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.
Unfortunately, federal law and policy create barriers to researching the risks and benefits of the use of marijuana and other cannabis products. Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I Drug on the Schedule of Controlled Substances, which applies to drugs with a “high potential for abuse” and with “no currently accepted medical use.” U.S. researchers face regulatory hurdles to studying any Schedule I drugs when they attempt to research marijuana. This situation has limited the development of robust scientific research. As more states legalize the use of marijuana and other cannabis products, it is essential that credible, evidence-based research is available to fully understand the risks and potential benefits these products have on people with mental health conditions.
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