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Cannabis education rally, 15th May 2005

MESSAGE FROM Dr ZERRIN ATAKAN, NATIONAL PSYCHOSIS UNIT

Hello. I hope you are having an enjoyable rally. I am sorry that I cannot be with you but would like to send you this message:

The available research findings over the last few years, regarding the links between cannabis use and the emergence of psychoses and other mental health problems, especially among young people, are quite worrying. This is especially so as there appears to be a view among the young that cannabis is 'harmless' and there is a notable increase in teenage use. We now know that cannabis use, before the age of 18 when the brain is still developing, can cause changes in the brain.

The message that regular cannabis use significantly increases the risk of developing a severe mental illness, especially for the young, needs to be discussed more publicly, albeit with sensitivity and balance. At the same time it is important to recognise that some compounds of the cannabis plant can be used successfully as a treatment for certain medical conditions, whilst many use it to relax without any harm. However for a small minority, cannabis use may lead to the development of severe mental illness with devastating effects for them and their loved ones. Unfortunately I witness this daily in my professional life.

I would like to make the following points so that people can make their own minds up about what they would like to do:
· Using cannabis before the age of 18 may lead to changes in the brain
· Using cannabis regularly (ie; daily) increases the risk of developing severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and manic depressive illness
· Street cannabis is stronger than it was ten years ago. The higher the THC content, the higher the risk
· Some people are genetically more vulnerable to developing a severe mental illness when they use cannabis. If someone has a family member or relative who have suffered from a mental illness, they may be genetically vulnerable. But otherwise it is not possible, at present, to precisely know who is vulnerable and who is not. If when you use cannabis, it makes you highly anxious, suspicious and paranoid, then you may be at risk.

· If someone already has a mental illness and continues to use cannabis, there is ample evidence to show that their condition does get worse.

At present, public awareness of the possible harmful effects on mental health remains limited and better education is essential. The relaxation of the legal status of cannabis may lead to more openness and encouragement for further research, but it will not solve the problems by itself. We ultimately need to regulate the dose of THC and control under-age use, as we do with cigarettes. In any event, the public need to be given more information about the risks involved, in order to make their own informed choices. This is a task that we all have to tackle, in conjunction with education authorities, government organizations and the media.

Thank you. Have a good day.