THE 40% CANNABIS RISK

Doctors have issued their starkest warning yet about the effects of
cannabis. A new report says users of the drug are 40% more likely to
develop a psychotic illness.

The warning, published in The Lancet, is written by seven specialists
in mental health. They looked at the findings of 35 studies from
around the world and discovered "a consistent association between
cannabis use and psychotic symptoms, including disabling psychotic
disorders".

They say they cannot be certain that the drug is the direct cause of
problems, but warn: "We believe there is now enough evidence to inform
people that using cannabis could increase their risk of developing a
psychotic illness."

There is also evidence, less strong, that the drug increases the risk
of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

The report was immediately welcomed in The Times by that paper's
medical correspondent, Dr Thomas Stuttaford. "The analysis may at last
convince some politicians and doctors who have persisted in promoting
a libertarian approach to the use of cannabis to change their mind,"
he wrote.

But Leslie Iverson, a professor of pharmacology and member of the
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, was more cautious. "The
authors admit that there is no conclusive evidence that cannabis use
causes psychotic illness," he said. "Their prediction that 14% of
psychotic outcomes in young adults in the UK may be due to cannabis
use is not supported by the fact that the incidence of schizophrenia
has not shown any significant change in the past 30 years."

The findings come only days after Gordon Brown ordered a review of the
decision to down-grade cannabis to a class C drug.