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Early Cannabis Use Doubles Mental, Physical Health Risks

11/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Starting cannabis use before age 15 increases the odds of mental health care visits (51%) and physical health issues (86%) in young adulthood, according to a McGill University study in Quebec, Canada.
Researchers tracked 1,591 participants from early adolescence to age 23 to assess long-term outcomes.
Public health efforts should delay youth cannabis use to mitigate risks, with findings published in JAMA Network Open.

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Story summary

Starting cannabis use before age 15 increases the odds of mental health care visits (51%) and physical health issues (86%) in young adulthood, according to a McGill University study in Quebec, Canada.
Researchers tracked 1,591 participants from early adolescence to age 23 to assess long-term outcomes.
Public health efforts should delay youth cannabis use to mitigate risks, with findings published in JAMA Network Open.