EXPERTS MEET ON MARIJUANA

AUSTRALIAN research showing depression is linked to heavy marijuana smoking
is set to be followed up by an initiative bringing together Australia's
leading experts on the issue next month.

Dr George Patton, from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, said
yesterday that a study had revealed strong evidence that heavy marijuana
use could lead to depression. The results, Dr Patton said, were most
serious in the case of young women, for whom the rates of mental health
problems rose significantly for those using cannabis daily.