Medical cannabis use presents special challenges and risks for adolescents. The majority of young medical cannabis users are unlikely to suffer any long-term damage over a treatment course at reasonable doses. However, cannabis appears to interact differently with the developing brain than the adult brain. There is concern that a small number of adolescents susceptible to schizophrenia may increase their risk of developing the illness by using cannabis. Strong evidence exists that heavy use of cannabis among young people leads to increased rates of dependence.195 A long-term study indicates that the more cannabis consumed in adolescence, the higher the rate of adult schizophrenia, but the connection remains disputed.196
CANNABIS AND ADOLESCENCE
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