Submitted by: Colleen Brenner
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Canada and 30 per cent of B.C. teenagers have tried it. One negative effect of marijuana use is the development of lasting psychosis including hallucinations and delusions. While the majority of cannabis users don’t develop psychosis, the impact is devastating for those who do. With politicians admitting to marijuana use and calling for its legalization, decriminalizing marijuana could happen in our near future. We’re examining the effects of cannabis use on the brain to identify who is most at risk. This research will be important public health information and available to those making policy decisions.