Current users who said they intended to quit cannabis reported greater psychosis-like experiences (OR, 1.131; 95% CI, 1.044-1.225; P less than 0.003). People who expressed a desire to continue, meanwhile, reported increased pleasurable experiences (OR, 0.892; 95% CI, 0.814-0.978; P less than 0.015).
The differences remained statistically significant across groups when age, sex, frequency of use, age of first use, and other drug use were accounted for.
Dr. Sami said. “And even if you continue using, you’re more likely to say you’re going to stop using in the future.”
Dr. Sami noted that nearly 40% of survey respondents reported having been treated for, or sought treatment for, a mental health complaint but cautioned against assuming these were attributable to cannabis use. “It’s very difficult to tease out whether they were using cannabis to self-medicate,” he said.