Adolescent Cannabis Use Associated With Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders

A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that adolescent cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of developing psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders by young adulthood.

The study included over 400,000 adolescents ages 13 to 17 who were universally screened for past-year cannabis use during routine pediatric visits between 2016 and 2023. Participants were followed through age 25, and researchers examined clinician-diagnosed psychiatric disorders documented in electronic health records.

During follow-up, there were more than 4,000 new diagnoses of psychotic and bipolar disorders, more than 62,000 new diagnoses of depressive disorders, and more than 73,000 new diagnoses of anxiety disorders.

Key Findings

•  Adolescents who reported past-year cannabis use had higher rates of clinician-diagnosed psychiatric disorders during follow-up. Compared to adolescents who did not report cannabis use, those who did had:

  
  

  • Twice the risk of developing a psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder

  • A 34% higher risk of developing depressive disorders

  • A 24% higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder 

The associations remained statistically significant even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, alcohol and other substance use, and prior psychiatric conditions.

The authors conclude that the findings are consistent with adolescent cannabis use being a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, and note that the results reinforce the need for early prevention efforts, public health messaging, and policy strategies designed to limit youth exposure as cannabis legalization expands.

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Reference:

Young-Wolff, K. C., Cortez, C. A., Alexeeff, S. E., et al. (2026). Adolescent cannabis use and risk of psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders. JAMA Health Forum, 7(2), e256839. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6839