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Cannabis and risk of psychosis.

Drewe M, Drewe J, Riecher-Rössler A

Psychiatric Outpatient Department and Clinic for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland.

Legalization of cannabis use in Switzerland has recently been debated by the Swiss Parliament. Although legalization has not yet been decided upon, it is still the subject of impassioned public discussion. If cannabis use is legalized, an increase in consumption is to be expected. One of the manifold negative consequences for mental health will probably be an increase in the prevalence of psychoses -- not only acute, toxic psychosis but also chronic psychoses. Schizophrenic psychoses are expected to be triggered at an earlier age and to be negatively influenced in their course. This eventuality could have deleterious consequences not only for many currently healthy individuals predisposed to psychosis, but also for the disability pension.

Published 21 December 2004 in Swiss Med Wkly, 134(45): 659-63.
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