In recent years, the levels of THC in marijuana have surged significantly. Unlike the marijuana of the 1960s, today’s variants are lab-designed and highly potent, posing a substantial risk to the developing brains of young individuals. This new, high-potency marijuana is linked to an increasing number of psychotic episodes among teenagers. Tragically, Johnny, a 19-year-old, succumbed to suicide after experiencing psychosis due to dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates.

Adverse Health Consequences of Youth THC Use

Research underscores several severe health impacts associated with youth THC consumption, including:

• Adolescent brain changes
• Anxiety disorders
• Increased suicide rates
• Schizophrenia
• Elevated depression severity in adolescents
• Increased hospital visits for substance-related issues

Cannabis and Adolescent Brain Development

Despite the perception of marijuana as a safe substance due to its legalisation across the United States, the reality is starkly different. The Potency Monitoring Project from the University of Mississippi indicates that the average THC content in marijuana has increased over tenfold in the past 50 years. This increased potency is particularly damaging to adolescent brains, as demonstrated in a January 2024 article in ScienceNews.

According to biomedical writer Aimee Cunningham, THC interacts with cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the body, affecting organ development, anxiety regulation, pain, and memory. This interaction results in structural changes in young adult brains. The article highlights several studies that report:

• A correlation between adolescent cannabis use and prefrontal cortex thinning over six years
• A 13-fold surge in emergency department visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), characterised by severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
• High school seniors primarily using cannabis to cope with stress and anger
• Cannabis users aged 12–17 exhibiting double the likelihood of developing depression or suicidal ideation compared to non-users

Only 35% of teenagers perceive casual marijuana smoking as significantly harmful, indicating a critical need for heightened awareness of THC’s potential to devastate futures rather than solve problems.

THC and Anxiety Disorders

A study published in eClinicalMedicine, an open-access journal from The Lancet, examined whether cannabis usage could lead to anxiety disorders. Researchers, including professionals from the University of Ottawa and the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, analysed healthcare data from over 12 million Ontario residents spanning 2008–2019.

The findings revealed that out of 34,822 individuals with cannabis-related emergency department visits, approximately 12% required subsequent healthcare visits for anxiety disorders. This risk was notably higher among younger males compared to the general population. This study is the most extensive exploration to date of the longitudinal relationship between cannabis use and anxiety.

Cannabis Legalisation and Suicide Rates

Suicide rates in the United States have risen by approximately 36% over two decades, with marijuana use linked to increased suicidal ideations and actions. A March 2024 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry explored the impact of marijuana legalisation on suicide rates.

Researchers, including those from Johns Hopkins University and The Ohio State University, analysed death records of individuals aged 12–25 from 2000–2019. The study found a correlation between marijuana legalisation and heightened suicide-related deaths, especially among female youth and those aged 14–16.

Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) recognises cannabis use disorder (CUD) as a dangerous addiction. A study published in Psychological Medicine in May 2023 examined the link between CUD and schizophrenia, particularly among young males.

Researchers, including those from the Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, investigated health records of 7 million individuals in Denmark from 1972–2021. They discovered that CUD significantly contributes to schizophrenia, with 15% of male schizophrenia cases in 2021 attributable to CUD, compared to 4% among females.

Increased Depression Severity in Adolescents

The National Comorbidity Survey—Adolescent Supplement, conducted from 2001–2004, provided data on mental health disorders in 10,000 American teenagers. Researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that teen cannabis use is linked to a higher risk of depression and suicidal behaviour.

Cannabis users were twice as likely to experience mild or moderate depression and three times as likely to suffer from severe depression. Increased cannabis consumption over the past year also correlated with higher suicide attempts and depression severity.

Cannabis and Hospital Visits

A March 2024 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health highlighted a 47.9% increase in substance-related visits to children’s hospitals from 2016 to 2021, with cannabis accounting for 52.2% of these visits. This study utilised data from the Pediatric Health Information System, covering over 49 hospitals in the United States.

This trend underscores the need for increased investment in programmes and resources to address rising teen substance use. Raising awareness about the dangers of cannabis is crucial to safeguarding youth health and well-being.

Source: Johnny’s Ambassadors