Smoking strong pot daily raises psychosis risk, study finds

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2014 file photo, a sales associate uses a pair of chopsticks to hold a bud of Lemon Skunk, the highest potency strain of marijuana available at the dispensary in Denver. According to research released on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, scientists say smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis by about five times.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Lemon Skunk marijuana bud

LONDON (AP) — Smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis by nearly five times, according to the biggest-ever study to examine the impact of pot on psychotic disorder rates.

The research adds to previous studies that have found links between marijuana and mental health problems, but still does not definitively pinpoint marijuana as the cause.

Psychotic disorders — in which people lose touch with reality — are typically triggered by factors including genetics and the environment. But experts say the new study’s findings have implications for jurisdictions legalizing marijuana, warning they should consider the potential impact on their mental health services.

“If we think there’s something particular about (high-potency) cannabis, then making that harder to get a hold of, could be a useful harm-reduction measure,” said Suzanne Gage, of the University of Liverpool, who was not connected to the new study.

Read more:  https://www.vaildaily.com/news/marijuana/smoking-strong-pot-daily-raises-psychosis-risk-study-finds/