Young people must see cannabis will undermine their mental health

It is disturbing to read about the casual attitude towards cannabis among certain teenagers (‘Cannabis not really seen as a drug, say teenagers’, Irish Examiner, 27 October ) but reassuring to read your editorial pointing out the risks.

There is now overwhelming evidence that cannabis is bad for mental health because it substantially increases risk of anxiety, depression and severe mental illness, such as psychosis. Cannabis is also used by people with established mental illness in an attempt to self-medicate, but this serves only to compound and complicate their condition. There is now very clear evidence that in most people who smoke cannabis and have mental health problems, the misuse of cannabis came first.

Clear, consistent findings such as these should be used to shape clinical practice, future research and drugs policy. Clinically, there are now myriad reasons to encourage young people to avoid cannabis use, including those outlined in your editorial.