22 Feb Kaiser Permanente Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Reported Cannabis Use

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Discuss your use of THC, Cannabis or CBD products with your health care provider.  Dosing of Cannabis products is variable, especially since they are not FDA regulated. Cannabis/CBD may interfere with other medications and should not be used in individuals with certain health conditions, including liver issues. CBD skin care products can be absorbed through the skin and have similar effects. Do not use Cannabis products including edibles, drinks and CBD if you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant. Do not use cannabis products if driving or operating difficult or dangerous machinery. Children should not be exposed to cannabis or CBD products.

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Young-Wolff

Kelly Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH
Licensed clinical psychologist and Research Scientist
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
School of Medicine
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Cannabis is widely used by adolescents, and it’s often first used during the same developmental window when many psychiatric disorders begin to emerge. At the same time, cannabis has become more accessible and more socially accepted. While prior studies have linked adolescent cannabis use to mental health symptoms, fewer large studies have examined whether it’s associated with later clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders. We wanted to address that gap.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response:  In a large cohort of more than 460,000 adolescents, teens who reported past-year cannabis use had a higher risk of later psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders. The strongest associations were for psychotic and bipolar disorders. This is an observational study, so we can’t prove cause and effect, but cannabis use typically occurred about one to two years before diagnosis, which raises concern.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: This study contributes to the expanding body of evidence indicating that adolescent cannabis use carries potential risks. We can’t say cannabis causes these conditions, but the timing and magnitude, especially for serious outcomes like psychosis and bipolar disorder, make prevention important. The safest message for teens is to avoid cannabis.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?

Response: Future studies should collect more detailed information on frequency of use, THC potency, product type, and mode of use. We also need research on who may be most vulnerable and whether routine screening and brief counseling in pediatric settings can reduce risk.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?

Response: Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable period for cannabis-related mental health harms. This was an observational study with typical limitations, including possible unmeasured confounding. Several authors receive research funding from federal agencies such as the NIH, and funders had no role in the study or publication.

Citation:

Young-Wolff KC, Cortez CA, Alexeeff SE, et al. Adolescent Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders. JAMA Health Forum. 2026;7(2):e256839. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6839

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Last Updated on February 23, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD