CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, the original version of this story misrepresented the findings of the American Psychological Association's study. The APA does not recognize links between frequent adolescent marijuana use and the development of psychotic disorders. The story has been updated to reflect these changes.
After controversy sparked by The American Psychological Association's 2015 study reported links between frequent adolescent marijuana use and the development of psychotic disorders, the association was led to reanalyze their data and clarify their findings.
“The study that they had done, producing the kind of controversy it did among experts, made it considerably suspect in the beginning,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, the executive director of the Christian Action League.
Although according to the data male adolescents using marijuana were at higher risk for developing psychotic disorders compared to non-users, the APA concluded that the findings were not statistically significant and thus proved no such connection between marijuana use and the possibility of future psychoses.
“Especially when you consider that there are already so many other studies that do point to a trigger relationship between pot use and psychosis," he said.
Jere Royall, director of community impact and counsel for North Carolina Family Policy Council, said the group regularly depends on studies conducted by the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Since these associations, and now the APA, have shown the potential for negative health effects associated with marijuana use, the council continues to oppose efforts for cannabis law reform.
“There’s growing evidence that shows marijuana may be particularly harmful for young people, causing long-term or even permanent impairment in cognitive ability and intelligence when used regularly during adolescence," Royall said.
