Discontinuing Cannabis Improves the Long-Term Course of Psychosis

Cannabis contributes to the risk for first-episode psychosis in adolescents and young adults. These investigators used data from an interventional program enrolling patients with first-episode psychosis to examine the impact of cannabis cessation versus continuation at 10-year follow-up in patients from a single Spanish geographical area (baseline age range, 15–60).

Patients meeting criteria for substance dependence other than for nicotine were excluded. Of 307 enrolled patients, 209 were examined 10 years later (54% men). Of the follow-up group, 79 (38%) were self-reported cannabis users at baseline (73% men; mean age at cannabis use onset, 17; mean consumption, 26 joints/week). Compared with baseline nonusers, initial users were more likel…