A study published in JAMA Psychiatry examined recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) has impacted cannabis use in individuals with psychosis. The study was the first one to investigate RCL’s effects on this population.
The researchers analyzed data from 2014 to 2022 on state-level RCL with 5 years of follow-up from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, which is a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study. The study sample consisted of 1,856 adults aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of psychotic illness. The participants contributed 7,465 responses. Their mean age was 36.6. 50.2% of the participants were white, and 58.2% were female. The participants had a 30-day cannabis-use rate of 31.8%.
Analysis showed that individuals with psychosis in RCL states significantly increased their 30-day cannabis use. The sensitivity analyses indicated significant estimates after retail outlets opened, but not before. The researchers did not observe changes in higher frequency use.
Individuals with psychosis reported a large increase in current cannabis use following legalization and commercialization of cannabis in their state. Analysis revealed that this increase was more significant than previously reported estimates of the general population. The difference-in-differences analyses indicated that 30-day cannabis use increased by 9.53 percentage points after RCL among individuals with psychosis.
The findings have implications for policy and health care practice, since cannabis use can negatively affect the course of psychotic illness. The study can inform how state regulations design effective policies pertaining to cannabinoid potency and health warnings. These efforts can help minimize potential mental and physical harm for individuals with psychosis.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, JAMA Psychiatry
