New scientific findings presented at the Institute of Psychiatry in London show that cannabis disrupts brain function and damages mental health.

"We are very close to finding a causal link between cannabis and mental illness – all evidence is pointing in that direction," Dr Zerrin Atakan, one of the conference organisers, told The Independent on Sunday.

Dr Atakan has been involved in the first study into how cannabis affects the brain, and she says that it has a destabilising influence: "There is a disturbance of the area governing thoughts and emotions and this seems to be related to temporary psychotic symptoms suffered by some of the people that took part."

Even a small amount of the active ingredient in cannabis, the equivalent of half a joint of marijuana, can precipitate serious mental disturbances, including paranoia, delusions, and schizophrenic and psychotic episodes.

Given small amounts of THC – the chemical responsible for the "high of cannabis" – half of those taking part in the study developed schizophrenia-like symptoms.

When the strength of the drug was increased from a level between half and one and a half joints to the amount likely to be found in two joints, 60 per cent suffered symptoms usually seen in mental illness.

The US National Institute for Drug Abuse has found that marijuana being sold in that country is stronger than ever.

They cited data from the University of Mississippi's marijuana potency project showing the average levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in the products rose from 7 per cent in 2003 to 8.5 per cent in 2006. The level had risen from 3.5 per cent in 1988.

Institute director Nora Volkow fears the problem is not being taken seriously because many adults remember the marijuana of their youth as harmless.

"It's really not the same type of marijuana," Dr. Volkow said in a telephone interview.

That would explain the growing number of cannabis-related medical emergencies.

More than 60% of American teenagers being treated for drug abuse or dependence say that marijuana is their primary drug of abuse.

h/t for Daily Mail: Pearcey Report

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