Study Finds Alarming Link Between Adolescent Cannabis Use and Severe Mental Disorders

Longitudinal research shows doubled risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders for teens who use cannabis

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:58pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph of a human brain, with glowing neural pathways and structures in shades of blue and purple against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the mental health impacts of adolescent cannabis use.A groundbreaking study reveals the alarming mental health risks of adolescent cannabis use, underscoring the need for urgent public health action.San Francisco Today

A groundbreaking 10-year study of over 460,000 adolescents has revealed a startling connection between cannabis use and an elevated risk of severe psychiatric disorders, including psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders. The research, conducted by a team of esteemed institutions, highlights the increasing potency of cannabis products and aggressive marketing strategies as key factors contributing to this public health crisis.

Why it matters

The study's findings are particularly concerning given the widespread use of cannabis among U.S. adolescents, with over 10% of teens aged 12 to 17 reporting past-year cannabis use. This trend is further exacerbated by the increasing THC levels in cannabis products, which have been shown to double the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders. The study underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive public health response to address this issue and reduce the potential long-term consequences on adolescent mental health.

The details

The longitudinal study, published in JAMA Health Forum, followed 463,396 adolescents aged 13 to 17 over a decade, from ages 13 to 26. Researchers found that adolescents who engaged in cannabis use within the past year were at a significantly higher risk of developing various psychiatric disorders, including psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders. The study's comprehensive approach, utilizing universal screening of teens during standard pediatric care, ensures a more accurate representation of cannabis use among adolescents.

  • The study was conducted over a 10-year period, from ages 13 to 26.
  • The findings were published in JAMA Health Forum in April 2026.

The players

Lynn Silver, M.D.

Program director of the Getting it Right from the Start program.

Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D.

Lead author and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.

Kaiser Permanente

One of the institutions that conducted the research.

Public Health Institute's Getting it Right from the Start

One of the institutions that conducted the research.

University of California, San Francisco

One of the institutions that conducted the research.

University of Southern California

One of the institutions that conducted the research.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As cannabis becomes more potent and aggressively marketed, this study indicates that adolescent cannabis use is associated with double the risk of incident psychotic and bipolar disorders. The evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing, and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior.”

— Lynn Silver, M.D., Program director of the Getting it Right from the Start program

“Even after accounting for prior mental health conditions and other substance use, adolescents who reported cannabis use had a substantially higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that cannabis use during adolescence could have potentially detrimental, long-term health effects. It's imperative that parents and their children have accurate, trusted, and evidence-based information about the risks of adolescent cannabis use.”

— Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D., Lead author and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research

What’s next

The study's publication in JAMA Health Forum serves as a call to action for parents, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to address the rising rates of adolescent cannabis use and its potential long-term consequences on mental health. Experts emphasize the need for evidence-based education, prevention strategies, and interventions to mitigate this public health crisis.

The takeaway

This landmark study underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive public health response to the growing issue of adolescent cannabis use and its alarming link to severe mental disorders. The findings highlight the importance of reducing product potency, prioritizing prevention, limiting youth exposure and marketing, and treating adolescent cannabis use as a serious health concern, not a benign behavior.