Doctors have raised concerns about a notable rise in hospital admissions for psychosis among individuals prescribed medicinal cannabis. This increase has been linked to higher THC content in cannabis products and broader accessibility following legalization. Research indicates that cannabis can trigger psychotic episodes, characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and difficulty distinguishing reality, in a small percentage of users.

A comprehensive analysis of multiple studies found that while only 0.5% of cannabis users experienced severe psychotic episodes, this rate could rise significantly in certain contexts. For instance, rates of psychosis were found to be as high as 21% in observational studies, compared to just 2% in controlled medicinal use scenarios [oai_citation:1,Researchers assess rates of cannabis-associated psychotic episodes](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-cannabis-psychotic-episodes.html) [oai_citation:2,ICES | New evidence suggests link between teen cannabis use and psychotic disorders may be stronger than previously thought](https://www.ices.on.ca/news-releases/new-evidence-suggests-link-between-teen-cannabis-use-and-psychotic-disorders-may-be-stronger-than-previously-thought/).

The study highlighted the heightened risk among adolescents, who are 11 times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder compared to their non-using peers. This suggests that the developing brains of teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis [oai_citation:3,ICES | New evidence suggests link between teen cannabis use and psychotic disorders may be stronger than previously thought](https://www.ices.on.ca/news-releases/new-evidence-suggests-link-between-teen-cannabis-use-and-psychotic-disorders-may-be-stronger-than-previously-thought/).

For more detailed information, you can read the full articles on [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-cannabis-psychotic-episodes.html) and [ICES](https://www.ices.on.ca/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/New-evidence-suggests-link-between-teen-cannabis-use-and-psychotic-disorders).