Teens who start using cannabis before age 15 are significantly more likely to experience lasting health consequences, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that early and frequent users face higher rates of both mental and physical health issues as young adults.
“This further builds the case that cannabis use in adolescence adversely affects health trajectories,” said Dr. Ryan Sultan, a psychiatrist at Columbia University not involved in the study.
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What the Study Found
The study, part of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, followed over 1,500 children from birth into adulthood. Researchers tracked their cannabis use from ages 12 to 17 and later analyzed their health outcomes.
Roughly 60% of participants never used cannabis as teens. Of the 40% who did, those who began before age 15 and used it regularly by 17 had the highest likelihood of needing medical care for both physical and mental health problems in their 20s.
According to lead author Massimiliano Orri of McGill University, early cannabis users had:
- A 51% higher risk of seeking care for mental health issues.
- An 86% higher risk of needing care for physical health problems, including respiratory conditions and injuries.
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Why Early Use Matters
Experts say the adolescent brain is still developing — particularly in areas responsible for decision-making and emotional control. “Using cannabis regularly during this period might disrupt healthy neural development,” explained psychologist Krista Lisdahl of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Cannabis can also become a coping mechanism for anxiety or mood problems, making it harder for young users to develop healthy emotional regulation skills later in life, Sultan adds.
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Controlling for Other Factors
One strength of the study was its thorough control for confounding factors like family conflict, parenting style, peer influence, and socioeconomic status. Even after accounting for these, early cannabis use remained strongly linked to later health risks.
Growing Evidence
Previous research echoes these findings. Sultan’s recent work found that teens who used cannabis recreationally were up to four times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders, perform poorly in school, and skip classes. Other studies have linked early cannabis use with psychosis and cognitive decline.
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Expert Advice
Psychiatrists recommend delaying cannabis use until at least age 25 to minimize harm to the developing brain. “The longer you wait, the better your brain’s ability to form healthy connections and coping skills,” says Sultan
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