JAMA Psychiatry just released a new longitudinal study from Denmark regarding the association of between a diagnosis of a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and a diagnosis of Schizophrenia in patients. The nationwide study, “Development Over Time of the Population-Attributable Risk Fraction for Cannabis Use Disorder in Schizophrenia in Denmark” (C. Hjorthøj et.al.) conducted an analysis of over 7 million individuals, during 1972 until 2016. Researchers concluded that number of cases of Schizophrenia associated with a CUD had increased by 3 – 4 times in the last 20 years. The authors note that this time frame coincides with an increase in both marijuana use and the elevated potency levels of THC found in cannabis products.
Findings such as these, may have an influence on issues of mental health, legalization and regulations on usage.
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