At RIZE Prevention, we focus on helping young people understand the real impacts substances can have on their health and future. New research highlighted in Washington Stand reinforces why these conversations are so important.

A large study examined the health records of 463,396 adolescents ages 13–17 and followed them into young adulthood. Researchers found that 5.7% of teens reported using marijuana within the previous year during routine health screenings. 

The results showed significant differences in mental health outcomes between teens who used marijuana and those who did not:

• Teens who used marijuana had more than double the risk of developing psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder later in life.  
• They were 34% more likely to develop depression.  
• They were 24% more likely to develop anxiety disorders.  

Researchers also found that marijuana use typically occurred about 1.7 to 2.3 years before the diagnosis of these mental health conditions, suggesting that adolescence may be a particularly vulnerable period for brain development. 

The study comes at a time when marijuana use among teens is still common. Researchers estimate that over 10% of U.S. teens ages 12–17 report using marijuana each year, and about 26% of students have tried it by the time they reach their senior year of high school. 

At RIZE Prevention, our mission is to address not only substances themselves but also the reasons young people may turn to them. Research like this highlights the importance of education, mentorship, and healthy alternatives that help teens build strong foundations for the future.

Source: “Teen Marijuana Use Doubles Chances of Future Psychotic Disorders, Study Finds,” Washington Stand.