Rise in cannabis psychosis linked to high‑potency use despite falling overall consumption

Clinicians report growing numbers of cannabis‑induced psychotic episodes concentrated among daily users of high‑THC products, prompting calls for health‑led interventions, better addiction services and limits on the most harmful strains even as national use declines.

Cannabis-induced psychosis is emerging as a growing clinical concern in the UK, even as overall use of the drug falls. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory rehabilitation centre, warned that he has seen “a visible rise in the number of people needing intensive support for psychosis as a result of cannabis use”, and blamed easy online access to high‑potency “skunk” varieties. According to that report, what can begin as transient paranoia after smoking a few joints can escalate, and in some cases lead to persistent psychotic states with severe consequences for mood and suicide risk.

Official prevalence figures, however, show a more complex picture. The Office for National Statistics estimates that about 2.3 million people aged 16 to 59 reported using cannabis in the year to March 2024 — roughly 6.8% of that age group — and that overall frequent use has fallen compared with a decade earlier. The contrast between falling overall use and rising treatment demand for cannabis‑related psychosis is at the heart of current concern.

Medical research helps to explain why a smaller number of users could be responsible for a disproportionate share of harm. A multicentre case–control study across European cities found that daily use, and in particular daily use of high‑potency cannabis, is strongly associated with first‑episode psychosis — in some analyses approaching a five‑fold increased risk. Researchers at King’s College London have also reported that frequent use raises the likelihood of clinical psychosis independently of inherited genetic risk, and they have emphasised the particular danger posed by products with high THC content.

Clinically, substance‑related psychosis presents in the familiar ways: hallucinations, delusional thinking and dissociation, and can be triggered or worsened by intoxication and by withdrawal. NHS guidance notes that while substance‑induced psychosis will remit for many people, it can persist in others and requires careful medical assessment. The pattern seen in cohort studies is troubling: patients with first‑episode psychosis who continue to use cannabis tend to have more severe symptoms, poorer social functioning and worse outcomes at follow‑up than those who stop.

Those longer‑term follow‑up studies also underline an important treatment message: continued cannabis use after a psychotic episode predicts a poorer course of illness. The EDEN study of first‑episode patients found that ongoing consumption was associated with worse symptomatic and functional outcomes at six and 12 months, reinforcing the need to integrate addiction treatment with early psychosis services. Public‑health researchers have argued that reducing the availability of high‑potency products could materially lower rates of first‑episode psychosis in settings where such products are common.

Policy debate is beginning to catch up with the clinical evidence. The London Drugs Commission this year recommended a shift away from criminal penalties for natural cannabis and called for an expanded public‑health response that reduces reliance on stop-and‑search, improves education and strengthens treatment services for those harmed by cannabis. The London mayor has signalled support for some of those recommendations, reflecting an appetite — at least in the capital — for a different balance between criminal enforcement and health‑led interventions.

Taken together, the clinical warnings, epidemiology and research suggest a targeted public‑health problem rather than a simple surge in recreational use: stronger products and persistent use appear to be concentrating harms among a subset of users. Clinicians and campaigners say the response should combine improved access to addiction and mental‑health services, clearer public messaging about the risks of daily and high‑THC use, and policy measures to limit the most harmful products — while recognising that for many occasional users the risk profile is lower. As Dr Campbell told the Daily Mail, what begins with a few joints can escalate, and for a minority the consequences can be long lasting — a reminder that policy and services must keep pace with changes in the market for the drug.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative presents recent data, including Office for National Statistics figures from March 2024, indicating a recent publication date. However, similar reports have appeared in the past, such as a 2015 study linking high-potency cannabis to psychosis ([time.com](https://time.com/3711513/skunk-cannabis-marijuana-psychosis/?utm_source=openai)). The presence of updated data alongside older material suggests a mix of freshness and recycled content. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a higher freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
8

Notes:
The direct quote from Dr. Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory rehabilitation centre, appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were identified.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and accuracy issues in the past. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a higher reliability score. The presence of updated data alongside older material suggests a mix of freshness and recycled content. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative aligns with existing research linking high-potency cannabis to an increased risk of psychosis. For instance, a 2015 study found that daily use of high-potency cannabis is strongly associated with first-episode psychosis ([time.com](https://time.com/3711513/skunk-cannabis-marijuana-psychosis/?utm_source=openai)). The report includes updated data, such as Office for National Statistics figures from March 2024, supporting the claim of rising treatment demand for cannabis-related psychosis. The tone and language are consistent with typical reporting on this topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was noted. The structure and tone are appropriate for the subject matter.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents recent data and aligns with existing research on the link between high-potency cannabis and psychosis. While the Daily Mail is a reputable source, it has faced criticism for sensationalism and accuracy issues. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a higher reliability score. The presence of updated data alongside older material suggests a mix of freshness and recycled content. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The direct quote from Dr. Niall Campbell appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with a MEDIUM confidence level.