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Reefer Madness: Marijuana Ups Psychosis Risk

New study reveals that pot smokers have a 41% increased chance of psychosis

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 27, 2007 10:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – Smoking pot increases your risk of developing schizophrenia and other forms of psychotic illness later in life, according to a new study. Partakers had a 41% higher chance of developing psychosis with hallucinations or delusions—a risk that only increased with heavy use. The findings may push the UK to crack down on penalties for the drug.

A contributing psychiatrist admitted that marijuana may not be as harmful as alcohol or tobacco, but said users underestimate the health effects it poses. Researchers say they'd need a new longterm study following the effects of the drug on healthy young people to bury the joint, but marijuana laws my stymie their efforts for now.

Supporters including Abdullah, far left, smoke marijuana with Ed Rosenthal, third from left, outside of the federal courthouse in San Francisco, Friday, April 13, 2007. Federal prosecutors said Friday they would retry marijuana grower Ed Rosenthal on cultivation charges, even after a federal judge urged them to drop the case...
Supporters including Abdullah, far left, smoke marijuana with Ed Rosenthal, third from left, outside of the federal courthouse in San Francisco, Friday, April 13, 2007. Federal prosecutors said Friday...   (Associated Press)
New Hampshire state police released this 2006 file photo of marijuana plants growing in the basement of a home in Pembroke, N.H. British doctors say new findings on marijuana's damaging effect on the brain show the drug triggers temporary psychotic symptoms in some people, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions....
New Hampshire state police released this 2006 file photo of marijuana plants growing in the basement of a home in Pembroke, N.H. British doctors say new findings on marijuana's damaging effect on the...   (Associated Press)
Willie Nelson performs in Camden, N.J., in this Sept. 30, 2006, file photo. Nelson and his tour manager were spared jail time Tuesday, April 24, 2007, after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.  (AP Photo/Tim Larsen, file)
Willie Nelson performs in Camden, N.J., in this Sept. 30, 2006, file photo. Nelson and his tour manager were spared jail time Tuesday, April 24, 2007, after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of marijuana...   (Associated Press)
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