Early, frequent cannabis use tied to higher mental and physical health risks, McGill study finds

Medical Economics October 31, 2025
Todd Shryock, Chris Mazzolini

Key Takeaways

• Adolescents using cannabis before age 15 face increased mental and physical health issues as young adults.
• Early cannabis use is linked to depression, anxiety, suicidal distress, and physical problems like respiratory issues.
• The study used data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, isolating cannabis’s impact.
• Findings support delaying cannabis initiation and emphasize public health efforts to prevent early use.

Early cannabis use in adolescents increases risks for mental and physical health issues, highlighting the need for preventive public health measures.

Adolescents who begin using cannabis before age 15 and continue using it regularly are more likely to require health care for both mental and physical problems as young adults, according to new research led...

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