It’s back in the spotlight for another reason too — President Donald Trump is actively looking into changing the way cannabis is classified under federal law, potentially reshaping how it’s viewed and regulated across the country.
Right now, cannabis sits in Schedule I, the same category as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD, meaning it’s considered highly addictive and dangerous. Trump is exploring moving it down to Schedule III, which is seen as less harmful and defined as having only a moderate to low risk of physical or psychological dependence.
Even under its current strict classification, many states have already moved ahead with their own laws — allowing medical use in several states and recreational use in 24 others. But despite the growing acceptance, a new Canadian study is warning of the potentially dangerous health effects that can come from long-term use, especially with the drug now being so much stronger than before.
In Canada, cannabis was fully legalized for both medical and recreational purposes on October 17, 2018, under The Cannabis Act — and the country has since become a key place for researchers to study its real-world effects.
Back in the early 2000s, the average THC content in cannabis hovered around four percent. Fast-forward to today, and most legal cannabis sold in Canada contains over 20 percent THC — a massive jump that changes the way the drug affects users.
Here’s a closer look at some of the study’s key findings.
Stronger cannabis can raise the risk of psychosis
Regularly using cannabis with high THC levels can increase the risk of psychosis, which can involve symptoms like hallucinations and delusional thinking.
The danger is particularly high for younger users, men, and people who already live with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety.
While many people recover from cannabis-related psychosis within a day, those whose symptoms last longer — especially if they have a history of psychosis — may need hospitalization for proper treatment and monitoring.
A link to schizophrenia
A massive study involving 9.8 million people in Ontario uncovered a strong connection between cannabis-related health issues and the development of schizophrenia.
Individuals who ended up in the emergency room for cannabis use had a 14 times higher chance of being diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder within three years compared to people in the general population.
For those who experienced cannabis-induced psychosis, the numbers were even more alarming — the risk was over 240 times higher, with the first few years after the episode being the most critical period.
Treatment starts with stopping cannabis use
The research points to one main takeaway: the first and most important step in treating cannabis-induced psychosis is to completely stop using cannabis.
When symptoms are intense, doctors may prescribe antipsychotic medications to help stabilize the patient and manage the condition.
Once symptoms improve, these medications can often be tapered down gradually and, in some cases, discontinued altogether.
Therapy can help people quit
There is some good news — certain therapy approaches can make quitting much more achievable. Motivational interviewing, for example, can help people become more willing to give up cannabis, while cognitive behavioral therapy can provide practical tools to handle cravings and prevent relapse.
Whether done with a doctor, therapist, or psychologist, these strategies can reduce cannabis use, improve mental health, and lead to a better quality of life.
