Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:848-850
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Marijuana use and psychiatric illness: a follow-up study
RA Weller and JA Halikas
In 1970, 100 regular marijuana users and 50 of their nonuser friends
underwent a psychiatric evaluation. Of these, 97 users and all 50 nonusers
were reinterviewed 6-7 years later. At follow-up, 60% of both groups had a
psychiatric diagnosis. Antisocial personality was more prevalent in users;
otherwise, there were no significant differences in diagnosis. Depression,
alcohol abuse, and antisocial personality increased in users. However,
these increases occurred in subjects who had reported problems in these
areas in the initial interview but did not then meet diagnostic criteria.
There was not a significant increase in the total number with a diagnosable
illness.
