Expert warns youth on cannabis risks as daily use hits record highs

SA Drug Policy researcher, Shaun Shelly, says rising global cannabis use has placed growing pressure on health systems, and South Africa should prepare for the same trend.

Shelly says international research shows that as daily cannabis use increases, more young people are seeking help for anxiety, dependency, and impaired functioning linked to heavy use.

“We have seen an increase in youth use because people are being prescribed it medically more, and people are using it recreationally more because it’s now considered something that is not illegal or it’s not going to lead to their arrest, put it that way. And they’re also able to buy it from registered outlets,” he explained.

He was reacting to a United States study showing daily marijuana use has reached record levels, now surpassing daily alcohol consumption, with nearly 18 million Americans using cannabis every day.

Another study found that 3 in 10 users develop cannabis use disorder.

Stanford University addiction psychiatrist, Dr Smita Das, warns that despite popular belief, marijuana can be addictive.

Shelly says South Africa must strengthen early-intervention services and ensure clinics are prepared to deal with cannabis-related mental health issues, particularly among young people.

He also noted that while South Africa is experiencing similar trends, with a growing perception that cannabis is “not a big problem,” especially after court rulings that relaxed laws around private use.

However, Shelly warns that easier access through informal markets and home cultivation may unintentionally normalise the drug for teenagers.