Getting it Right from the Start

Our research (PublicHealth Institute's Getting it Right from the Start) continues to reach new audiences.

A new Medical Daily article by Josesh James features our JAMA Health Forum study, led by Kaiser Permanente Northern California in collaboration with the Public Health Institute, UCSF, and USC.

The study followed nearly 463,000 adolescents and found that past-year cannabis use was associated with more than double the risk of developing psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder by young adulthood. Researchers also found elevated risks for depression and anxiety, with cannabis use typically preceding diagnosis by nearly two years.

Importantly, this was an observational study—it does not prove cannabis caused these illnesses. But its size, longitudinal design, and rigorous analysis make it one of the strongest pieces of evidence to date that adolescent cannabis use deserves serious public health attention.

We're also proud that the study has now been covered by 169 news outlets and ranks in the top 1% of all research tracked by Altmetric.

As cannabis policy evolves, protecting young people from preventable harm should remain at the center of the conversation.

Read more: https://www.medicaldaily.com/teen-cannabis-mental-illness-psychosis-bipolar-jama-study-2026-475908

Medical Daily Public Health Institute

JAMA Study Finds Teen Ma*****na Use More Than Doubles the Risk of Serious Mental Illness A JAMA Health Forum study of 463,396 teens found cannabis use doubles the risk of psychosis and bipolar disorder. Cannabis typically preceded psychiatric diagnosis by 1.7–2.3 years.

How much more evidence do we need on high-potency cannabis?

A new Stateline investigation highlights growing concern among researchers, physicians, and policymakers about the connection between high-potency cannabis products and increased risks of addiction, psychosis, and other mental health harms—particularly among adolescents and young adults.

The concerns raised in the article mirror findings from two major recent California efforts that Getting it Right from the Start helped advance:

✅ A recent JAMA Health Forum study of more than 460,000 Northern California adolescents found significantly increased risks of psychotic and bipolar disorders, depression, and anxiety among youth who used cannabis. The study was covered by more than 100 media outlets nationwide and was cited in this Stateline report.
✅ The California High Potency Cannabis Think Tank report, co-authored by GIRFTS Executive Director Dr. Lynn Silver, concluded that high-potency products present unique public health risks and recommended a range of evidence-based safeguards to better protect youth and vulnerable populations.

Yet despite the growing body of evidence, California has failed to implement the recommendations of the California Department of Public Health's High Potency Cannabis Scientific Advisory Committee.

Meanwhile, today's cannabis market bears little resemblance to the products of previous generations. As Stateline notes, many cannabis concentrates now exceed 80% THC, while flower commonly reaches 15-20% THC or more.
Public health policy should follow the evidence. The evidence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Stateline Article: bit.ly/4aDNX5v
High Potency Report: bit.ly/4fBzMBy