Psychosis, Addiction, and Rare Syndrome Rising Among Young Adults Due to Marijuana Use

A decade after the first states began legalizing recreational marijuana, the dangerous consequences of widespread use are coming into sharp focus. Doctors across the country are increasingly treating cases of marijuana addiction, psychosis, and a rare but severe condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which can be life-threatening.

Medical records and data analyzed by The New York Times reveal that emergency rooms are seeing more patients with marijuana-related psychosis, including paranoia and delusions, as well as conditions like schizophrenia. Heavy marijuana users are also showing up with CHS, a debilitating syndrome marked by severe vomiting, nausea, and pain that can lead to dehydration, seizures, and even death. At least eight people in the U.S. have died from CHS, according to the report.

The scope of the problem:

• Marijuana use disorder, which causes individuals to continue using the drug despite negative consequences, now affects 18 million Americans. Nearly one-third of adult marijuana users exhibit signs of addiction.

• Younger adults are particularly vulnerable, with 17% of people aged 18 to 25 suffering from cannabis use disorder a rate higher than alcohol use disorder, which stands at 15%.

• The number of young people using marijuana daily or almost daily exceeds 4.5 million, a concerning trend given the drug's impact on brain development, which continues until around age 25.

The rise in marijuana misuse is compounded by the increased potency of the drug. In the 1990s, marijuana typically contained around 5% THC, the psychoactive component responsible for the “high.” Today, some products contain as much as 99% THC, making modern marijuana far more potent and dangerous than in previous decades. Despite this, only two states currently limit THC levels in recreational marijuana products.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome has become a common diagnosis in states like Colorado and Michigan, where recreational marijuana use is widespread. Emergency room doctors report seeing patients with the syndrome daily. Long-term heavy use appears to be the trigger, and with marijuana now a $33 billion industry in the U.S., the availability of high-potency products is contributing to these medical emergencies.

The consequences of marijuana addiction are particularly severe for young adults, whose brains are still developing. One pediatrician in Maine reports seeing teenagers who are dependent on marijuana, using it “almost all day, every day,” while a Massachusetts psychiatrist notes a rise in schizophrenia cases linked to cannabis use. In some instances, psychosis caused by marijuana can last for months, creating serious long-term impacts on mental health.

Many people are turning to marijuana to cope with rising rates of anxiety and depression. However, experts warn that self-medicating with high-potency cannabis products may actually exacerbate mental health problems, leading to a cycle of addiction and worsening symptoms.

The rapid push to legalize recreational marijuana, particularly in Democrat-led states, has raised questions about the true costs of this policy shift. While legalization advocates initially focused on medical marijuana to help chronically ill patients, the swift expansion into recreational use has brought with it a host of public health challenges. Today, 24 states allow recreational marijuana use, even though the drug remains illegal under federal law.

As the marijuana industry continues to grow, so do the risks, especially for young adults who are increasingly vulnerable to the drug’s addictive properties and its dangerous side effects. The rising tide of mental health and medical crises tied to marijuana is a clear warning sign that more regulation is needed before the situation spirals further out of control.

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