CANNABIS FACTS AND RESEARCH

Position papers

Educational Sources/Research

>> The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research
Click here to view the PDF from National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (review of all scientific studies).

>> Update on Evidence for Cannabis as a Treatment for Mental Health Conditions, American Journal of Psychiatry, December 2021

>> Excellent introductory book on the science
Marijuana: The Unbiased Truth about the World's Most Popular Weed, Dr. Kevin Hill

6/16/21 Cannabis Education Forum for State Legislators and Policy Makers
Dr. Kevin Simon Slides; Linda Frazier, RN, Slides; Moderator slides with resource links

Clearing the Smoke: Cannabis and Mental Health, A two-part webinar series presented by APA and AAAP
Download PDF Handouts of Presentation Slides:
4/8/21: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1627M224khMMOQuukBfaoc3VzNdm9mGEZ/view?usp=sharing
4/15/21: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ddAhAWl8vmCac7FYYUgHS5GKC1rvy6X5/view?usp=sharing

Use of NAC supplement as part of adolescent treatment plan

Additional information on mental health harms from high THC cannabis use:

Psychosis, Addiction, Chronic Vomiting: As Weed Becomes More Potent Teens Are Getting Sick, NYT, June 23, 2022

Mental Health Warning labels considered in California, June 7, 2022

Cannabis and violence (Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece), June 6. 2022

Liberal parents warned of cannabis psychosis risk, January 7, 2022

In this article published in The Times/The Sunday Times out of the UK, one of the world’s leading experts on cannabis-induced psychosis stated: ““I think we’re now 100 per cent sure that cannabis is one of the causes of a schizophrenia-like psychosis,” he said. “If we could abolish the consumption of skunk [high THC cannabis] we would have 30 per cent less patients [in south London] and we might make a better job of looking after the patients we have.”” This is consistent with studies published from Portugal and Denmark, where cannabis-related psychosis have been rising.

Geographical variation in hospitalization for psychosis associated with cannabis use and cannabis legalization in the United States [Moran et al, Feb 2022 - Epub ahead of print]. Findings:

• Hospitalizations for psychosis/cannabis use more likely in areas where cannabis legalized.

• Recreational cannabis legalization associated with greater rate of hospitalization for psychosis associated with cannabis use.

Adolescent cannabis use and later development of schizophrenia: An updated systematic review of longitudinal studies, January 2022

Results: Nonparametric tests, Friedman tests, and Wilcoxon signed tests showed a highly statistically significant difference in odds ratios for schizophrenia between both high- and low-cannabis users and no-cannabis users.

Association of Cannabis Use–Related Predictor Variables and Self-Reported Psychotic Disorders: U.S. Adults, 2001–2002 and 2012–2013, January 2022

Testimony of Boston-based psychiatrists and researchers to the Massachusetts State Legislature, Joint Committee Cannabis Policy, December 2021:

EmilyKlinePhD.WrittenTestimony

Moran.WrittenTestimony

WrittenTestimony

Fact Sheet: Cannabis and Psychosis, Yale Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) Program

2019 Summary of cannabis-psychosis literature: Cannabis and Psychosis Through the Lens of DSM-5

For additional information on the current science of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis, see presentations by Dr. Bertha Madras ; Professor Mary Cannon, and Dr. Marti DiForti.

Explore Johnny's Ambassadors, a Colorado-based non-profit organization that, "educates parents and teens about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide.” Includes compelling first hand accounts from Massachusetts families. Founder Laura Stack will present in Hingham in May 2022.

Youth Cannabis Use:

1/20/21: SHS Student Advisory Video

Scituate Public Schools Health & Wellness Education, School Counseling and Administration collaborated with Scituate FACTS and Caron Treatment Centers to create a cannabis awareness video titled, Behind the Cloud: The Clear FACTS about Cannabis Use. This video contains important, current information for all students. The video seeks to untangle common myths about cannabis, share the known effects of cannabis use on the body and brain, as well as clarify consequences. Scituate substance misuse data is also included, with resources to help support change - within this 23-minute video. Please share!