Cannabis consumption around puberty has long been discussed as an inducer drug of schizophrenia or, alternatively, as desperate self-medication during psychotic episodes or during the disease prodrome. Nowadays, it is quite safe to say that despite some truth to both views, cannabis can induce schizophrenia in predisposed individuals, dose-dependently lead to earlier disease onset, and act as trigger of psychotic relapses. But it can also result in amotivational behavior, social withdrawal or cognitive deficits upon peripubertal use. Here, a specific and highly relevant responsibility of psychiatry arises, and awareness among essentially all clinicians and in the general public needs to grow. Legalizing cannabis may not send the right message to the public.

PROGRAMME

Cannabis and psychosis: news from a long-term relationship
Robin Murray | United Kingdom

How does cannabis work: understanding basics of the brain cannabinoid system
Prof. Dr. Beat Lutz | Germany

Juvenile cannabis consumption as risk factor of behavioural abnormalities and mental illness
Prof. Dr. Dr. Hannelore Ehrenreich ML | Germany

Cannabis use and its consequences after its legal release
William G. Honer | Canada

ML – Member of the Leopoldina

Picture: Holger Schwarz