Weed Use Tied To Increase in Schizophrenia [Video]

Key Takeaways

Schizophrenia linked to problematic weed use has increased in CanadaThe proportion of schizophrenia cases associated with cannabis use disorder rose from 4% to 10%About 10% of new cases could have been avoided if people hospitalized for weed use quit toking

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Schizophrenia cases associated with problematic weed use have skyrocketed in the wake of Canada’s legalization of marijuana, a new study says.

The proportion of schizophrenia cases associated with cannabis use disorder nearly tripled, rising from 4% pre-legalization to 10%, according to findings published Feb. 4 in JAMA Network Open.

“We found that there have been concerning increases over time in the percentage of people with a new schizophrenia diagnosis who had received care for a cannabis use disorder before their diagnosis,” lead researcher Dr. Daniel Myran, chair of social accountability at the University of Ottawa, said in a news release.

For the study, his team …