Review reveals rise in users and rates of psychosis in countries where cannabis is sold commercially

Decriminalising the possession of cannabis or strictly regulating access to the drug do not appear to drive up usage, but when the drug is sold commercially the number of users increases and more mental health problems are seen, a review has found.

An international team analysed the dramatic shift in policies on cannabis between 2000 and 2025, including how the numbers of people taking the drug, its potency, and rates of psychosis changed after new rules came in.

Government strategies for addressing cannabis use have been a constant debate in recent decades within regulatory and public health circles. It is acknowledged that consumption, especially at an early age, increases the risk of psychosis. At the same time, the experiences of various countries after changing their laws show that not all forms of legalization produce the same outcomes: where cannabis is freely commercialized on the market, problematic use increases, but that is not the case in places where the state controls sales.

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During a shift in the emergency department at the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid, Beatriz Mexía treated a 19-year-old man with severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. “He could not tolerate even a sip of water and was dehydrated. We gave him intravenous fluids, but the usual anti-emetics could not stop the vomiting,” she recalls. This fourth-year family medicine resident, who works at the Los Alpes Health Center in Madrid, that night witnessed a chronic, common — but little-known in Spain, even among health staff — clinical scenario caused by daily cannabis or marijuana use: cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), characterized by severe, cyclical episodes of vomiting and nausea.

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NIBONG TEBAL, June 1 — Police have detained two women to assist in investigations into the murder of a Myanmar national at a house in Taman Belibis, Simpang Ampat here yesterday, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to three.

Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) district police chief Supt Jay January Siowou said the arrests followed the detention of the main suspect, a 38-year-old man who was apprehended by members of the public at the scene before being handed over to the police yesterday.

“In the incident at about 3.20 pm, the 31-year-old victim was confirmed dead at the scene due to multiple stab wounds to the body. Also injured in the incident was a 26-year-old woman who is currently receiving further treatment at Seberang Jaya Hospital (HSJ),” he said in a statement today.

As of now, he said, the police have detained the main suspect believed to have been directly involved in the murder, and also two other individuals to assist in further investigations.

He said preliminary investigations found that the incident is believed to have stemmed from a domestic dispute. However, the exact motive is still under investigation.

Police also seized a knife believed to have been used in the incident, and CCTV footage from nearby areas has been obtained and is being analysed.

“The victim’s body has been sent to the HSJ Forensic Unit for a post-mortem scheduled today,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt using a dangerous weapon.

He also urged members of the public with information on the incident to come forward and assist investigations by contacting the investigating officer, ASP Mohd Rizal Abd Rashid, or any nearby police station.

It was earlier reported that a Myanmar man was killed while his wife was injured, believed to have been attacked by a fellow countryman in an incident at Taman Belibis yesterday. — Bernama

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