Journal of Emerging Scholarship

Legalization of cannabis in the U.S. has resulted in increased cannabis use by those with acute and serious mental illnesses. This literature review aims to examine current literature on long-term cannabis use with existing behavioral factors and the propensity for these behaviors to lead to the development of psychiatric disorders. Findings indicate that individuals with acute behavioral health symptoms who use cannabis long-term are at a higher risk of experiencing worsened existing symptoms, developing new symptoms, and developing new mental health illnesses. Individuals with existing psychiatric illnesses or disorders who use cannabis longterm are at a higher risk of experiencing exacerbated symptoms, psychotic episodes, polysubstance use, and suicide. They also have increased potential to develop comorbid psychiatric illnesses. These findings should inform public health policy about the implications of long-term cannabis use for individuals living with mental health illness(es). These findings should also inform the scientific community of the need for expanded research in association with identifying criteria around specific mechanisms and nuances for individuals with schizophrenia and personality disorders who use cannabis long-term.