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Topics: Mental Health, Health, Drugs, Donald Trump
Britt Jones
Topics: Mental Health, Health, Drugs, Donald Trump
An expert has come out to warn people of the dangers of smoking cannabis, as those who experienced its negative effects speak out online.
Coming on the heels of President Donald Trump reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug, instead of a Schedule I drug, to allow for easier access in science to study its potential to be used in healthcare and treatments, there has been a lot of talk about how the drug could trigger something lifelong and dangerous in smokers.
“Because a lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify," Trump said, per ABC.
"So we are looking at that very strongly."
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While it hasn’t been confirmed, reclassification will lower its regulations and criminal sentencing - despite it still being illegal at the federal level.
Of course, this doesn't mean that smoking and consuming cannabis isn't without risk.
In March last year, Health Canada released new bombshell mandatory warning messages for cannabis, revealing that it can cause the risk of severe paranoia, psychosis and schizophrenia risks for people who are under 25.
As of right now, cannabis vendors have until March 2026 to update packaging with the warning messages.
But is there really a risk of psychosis, and who is most likely to develop it from smoking weed?
According to Dr Daniel Myran, a researcher with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a family physician, it’s true.
"I think that people remain unaware of this connection between cannabis use and potential risk of chronic psychotic disorders," he said per CBC, warning that men aged 14 to 24 also have the risk of ‘developing schizophrenia’ of over ‘40 per cent within three years’ if they visit the ER for cannabis-induced psychosis.
Dr Myran has been involved in studies examining the connection between cannabis and psychosis, and in 2023, he co-authored two studies which found a 220 per cent increase in emergency room visits in Ontario for cannabis-induced psychosis between 2014 and 2021.
Myran also led a study in February that found 27.5 per cent of people who visited an emergency room for cannabis use developed an anxiety disorder within three years.
Why? Maybe because the weed on offer now has a much higher THC content and has been bred to produce a bigger high.
Naturally occurring cannabis plants contain one to two percent THC, however, genetically modified plants can contain 20 per cent THC or more, per CBC.
But also, people can be more prone to developing psychological disorders due to genetic or mental health issues that are preexisting.
This can then lead to a psychotic breakdown if they smoke regularly, high THC weed, or even during their first smoking session.
Someone on Reddit revealed how when they first got high, it lasted 36 hours, resulting in long-term anxiety and episodes they believe to be psychological damage from weed.
Another person said they ‘became psycothic and later was diagnosed at 19 with schizoaffective disorder’ after smoking weed at 15.
Someone else revealed the link is true, writing: “I am a schizophrenic and I can confirm that smoking weed will cause a psychotic break for the majority of us.”
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.