Teenagers far likelier to get addicted to cannabis than adults, study suggests

TEENAGERS are far more likely to get hooked on cannabis than adults, a study suggests. But their risk of developing depression or anxiety is the same. Researchers from UCL and King’s College London followed 274 regular weed smokers. The 76 adolescent users were three and a half times more likely to develop severe addiction than […]

TEENAGERS are far more likely to get hooked on cannabis than adults, a study suggests.

But their risk of developing depression or anxiety is the same.

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Teenagers are far more likely to get hooked on cannabis than adults, a study suggests[/caption]

Researchers from UCL and King’s College London followed 274 regular weed smokers.

The 76 adolescent users were three and a half times more likely to develop severe addiction than the adults.

Teens’ developing brains, rows with parents and an evolving sense of identity put them at greater risk.

UCL’s Prof Val Curran said: “Being addicted can increase the likelihood of mental health problems.”

Lead researcher Dr Will Lawn said: “There is a lot of concern about how the developing teenage brain might be more vulnerable to the long-term effects of cannabis.

“But we did not find evidence to support this general claim.

“Cannabis addiction is a real issue that teenagers should be aware of, as they appear to be much more vulnerable to it than adults.

The study is published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.