Reader Op-Ed: Responsible Cannabis Advocacy Means Admitting Risk

By - CT CannaTimes Contributor*** - 5.4.2026

A Story We Were Asked to Share

A contributor to CT CannaTimes shared a deeply personal experience that reflects exactly why this conversation matters.

They knew someone in middle school who struggled with schizophrenia but had not disclosed it to their friend group. As teenagers, cannabis became part of their social environment.

At one point, during what was described as a severe schizophrenic break, one that those around them believed was intensified by cannabis use, that person died by suicide.

There is no honest or responsible way to reduce a tragedy like that to a single cause.

Mental illness is complex. Life circumstances matter. Biology matters.

There’s something uncomfortable that needs to be said in cannabis advocacy; and a lot of people won’t like hearing it.

But it’s still true.

It is irresponsible to tell people that cannabis is harmless for everyone, works for everyone, and will solve everyone’s problems.

That kind of language isn’t advocacy. It’s marketing.

And real advocacy, honest advocacy, requires something harder:

Admitting that cannabis, like anything that affects the brain, carries real risks for some people.

Not most people. Not everyone. But enough people that it matters.

Why This Matters

Most adults who use cannabis will not develop psychosis or schizophrenia.

But the risk is not zero; and for certain groups, it is meaningfully higher.

Research consistently shows:

• The baseline lifetime risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 0.7% to 1%

• Among heavy or frequent cannabis users, that risk increases several-fold

• Among people with a genetic or underlying vulnerability, cannabis can act as a trigger or accelerant

A large study cited by the National Institutes of Health found that among men ages 16–49, up to 15% of schizophrenia cases may be associated with cannabis use disorder.

A major study in The Lancet Psychiatry found that daily use of high-potency cannabis (high THC) significantly increased the odds of developing a psychotic disorder compared to non-users.

Source:

https://www.thelancet.com/article/S2215-0366(19)30048-3/fulltext

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also confirms that cannabis use is linked to:

* Temporary psychosis (hallucinations, paranoia)

* Long-term mental health conditions in some individuals

* Greater risk with earlier use and higher frequency

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/cannabis-and-teens.html

So let’s be clear:

This is not about fear. This is about accuracy.

Ignoring what research now shows would be just as irresponsible.

For some people, especially those with underlying or undiagnosed psychiatric vulnerabilities…cannabis can:

• • Trigger symptoms
• • Intensify episodes
• • Accelerate mental health decline

And those outcomes, while not common, are real.

The Brain Development Factor

Another piece of this conversation that often gets glossed over:

The brain is still developing into your mid-20s.

Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that the prefrontal cortex, responsible for judgment, impulse control, and decision-making, is one of the last regions to fully mature.

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know

NIH-backed research also confirms that brain development continues into the early-to-mid 20s:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3621648/

That’s why some people argue for a “25+” approach.

Not because cannabis is inherently bad; but because introducing high levels of THC into a still-developing brain may carry higher risk than it does for a fully developed adult.

This Doesn’t Make Cannabis “Bad”

It makes it context-dependent.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found strong evidence that cannabis can help with:

* Chronic pain

* Chemotherapy-related nausea

* Multiple sclerosis symptoms

Source:

https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/24625/chapter/2

At the same time, that same body found substantial evidence linking cannabis use to psychosis in certain populations.

Source:

https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/24625/chapter/14

Both things are true.

The Point of This Article

This is not anti-cannabis.

This is anti-misinformation.

Because saying:

* “Cannabis is harmless for everyone”

* “Cannabis helps everyone”

* “Cannabis is perfect”

…is no more accurate than the propaganda that once said it was universally dangerous.

Both extremes are wrong.

And if cannabis advocacy wants to maintain credibility, especially with lawmakers, patients, and the public; it has to be grounded in reality.

Even when that reality is uncomfortable.

If You’re Struggling

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available.

In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

You are not alone, and support is available 24/7.

Final Thought

Even water can be harmful in extreme cases.

That doesn’t make water bad.

It just means nothing that affects the human body is completely without risk.

Cannabis is no different.

Responsible cannabis advocacy means telling the full story; not just the parts people want to hear.

***DISCLAIMER: This op-ed reflects the perspective of its contributor and does not necessarily represent the views of CT CannaTimes. We publish a range of voices to encourage open, honest discussion. ***

DISCLAIMER 2: To protect contributors, editors, and staff, CT CannaTimes processes all content with AI. In a space where cannabis policy remains highly contentious and many perspectives are unpopular, this approach ensures people can safely share their experiences, opinions, and information without fear of retaliation.