Reefer Madness: Marijuana Ups Psychosis Risk

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. (More marijuana stories.)