The Debate on Marijuana and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review

As the legal landscape surrounding marijuana continues to evolve, a heated debate persists on its potential impact on mental health. While some argue that marijuana is a harmless substance that should be fully legalized, others believe it poses a risk to mental health, particularly in adolescence. The medical community is also divided, with accumulating evidence suggesting that marijuana use may be linked to poor educational achievement, substance use disorders, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders.

Until now, there has been a lack of comprehensive information on marijuana and mental health in modern American society. Marijuana and Mental Health fills this void, providing a balanced and highly readable exploration of the connection between marijuana use and mental health.

A Scientific Foundation for Informed Decision-Making

This authoritative reference provides an academic foundation for further study, while also informing clinical mental health practice and policy decisions. It offers a concise compilation of research on topics such as:

• The effects of marijuana on the brain and mind
• Marijuana-related legislation and its implications
• Comorbidities between marijuana misuse and mood and anxiety disorders
• The complex link between marijuana use and psychotic disorders
• Synthetic cannabinoids: risks and consequences
• Treatment and prevention of marijuana misuse

Relatable clinical vignettes and key chapter points highlight the clinical applicability of the content, making Marijuana and Mental Health an essential resource for clinical and research psychiatrists, psychiatric residents and fellows, clinical psychologists, and psychiatric nurses.

Publisher: American Psychiatric Publishing
Publication Date: March 18, 2016
Language: English
ISBN: 9781615370085, 9781615370658