Marijuana and Mental Health

Even while many states have passed legislation pertaining to "medical
marijuana" and others have decriminalized or even legalized recreational use, a
debate continues within society as to whether marijuana is simply a harmless
substance that should be fully legalized, a possibly beneficial treatment for
patients with certain illnesses, or a drug with the potential to worsen
addiction and cause mental health problems. The controversy persists in the
medical community as well, where accumulating evidence implicates marijuana use,
especially in adolescence, as a risk factor for poor educational achievement and
substance use disorders, as well as schizophrenia and related psychotic
disorders-all of which complicates the heated discourse on
legalization.

Although other books have explored the medical marijuana and
the neuroscience behind marijuana, no single source of comprehensive information
on marijuana and mental health in modern American society has existed to date.
Balanced, focused, and highly readable, Marijuana and Mental Health fills this
void. It provides an academic foundation for further study while also informing
clinical mental health practice as well as policy decisions by articulating the
connection between marijuana and mental health, particularly in the United
States.

Chapters offer a concise compilation of research in this area,
discussing topics such as: The effects of marijuana on the brain and mind
Marijuana-related legislation Medical marijuana Comorbidities between
marijuana misuse and mood and anxiety disorders The complex link between
marijuana use and psychotic disorders Synthetic cannabinoids Treatment and
prevention of marijuana misuse

Relatable clinical vignettes that
contextualize these issues and illustrate the clinical applicability of the
content, as well as key chapter points that emphasize major takeaways, make
Marijuana and Mental Health the authoritative reference for clinical and
research psychiatrists, psychiatric residents and fellows, clinical
psychologists, and psychiatric nurses.