Are Marijuana Use and Suicide Linked?
— A review of the data show there’s cause for alarm
MedPage Today by April 23, 2021
Data linking marijuana use to people with suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicides are steadily increasing.
The extensive and growing research on the harms of cannabis use can be overwhelming. To help get you started, the doctors who volunteer for IASIC suggest the following top 5 medical resources on the health risks of marijuana (THC).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a clear and concise introduction to the subject of marijuana risks. A few highlights:
“Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in the U.S. and its use is growing. Marijuana use among all adult age groups, both sexes, and pregnant women is going up. At the same time, the perception of how harmful marijuana use can be is declining. Increasingly, young people today do not consider marijuana use a risky behavior.”
“But there are real risks for people who use marijuana, especially youth and young adults, and women who are pregnant or nursing. Today’s marijuana is stronger than ever before. People can and do become addicted to marijuana.”
“Approximately 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted. When they start before age 18, the rate of addiction rises to 1 in 6.”
https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana
Doctors Warn: Cannabis Can Cause Serious Health Hazards
A summary of the health risks of marijuana, this article from the IASIC library of medical articles includes full citations to the medical research.
https://iasic1.org/doctors-warn-cannabis-can-cause-serious-health-hazards/
Lessons from Colorado: Risks of High Potency THC Marijuana
At less than 5 minutes, these video clips summarize highlights from the Colorado State House.
The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story Presented by Laura Stack and Libby Stuyt, MD
Laura Stack’s 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide on November 20, 2019, after becoming delusional from dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates. Soon afterward, Laura started a 501c3, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents and teens about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. In this session, Laura will share the story of Johnny’s marijuana addiction from a parent’s point of view. Then Dr. Libby Stuyt will provide the scientific-based research on the correlation between cannabis, psychosis, and suicide. Dr. Stuyt will include the evidence that high-potency concentrates, such as what Johnny was using, are the worst culprits, and how we have attempted to put some controls on these with legislation in Colorado.
https://vimeo.com/647939963/fef06403a1?embedded=false&source=vimeo_logo&owner=155830996
Cannabis in Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, textbook
This comprehensive resource is available in print (554 pages) or eBook formats. With chapters dedicated to separate fields of medicine, this evidence-based guide outlines the current data, or lack thereof. Cannabis in Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach provides clinicians with a concise, evidence-based guide to health concerns related to the use of marijuana. This book is also a useful resource for professionals working in the public health and legal fields.
Learn More
You are invited to visit the IASIC Library to view extensive research on the harms of cannabis use, translated for public understanding.
IASIC is a non-partisan and non-political group created to facilitate informed decisions when considering cannabis policy and law.