Marijuana’s Changing Legal Landscape and Its Implications for Adolescent Psychiatrists: A Report from California

Background Objectives: Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia (DC) have enacted some form of legalized cannabis or cannabinoid for medical conditions (MMJ), 11 of them and DC for recreational use. It has become critical for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals working with adolescents to be aware of the diversion of marijuana (MJ) to youth and subsequent potential adverse effects in environments with widely different regulations. The experience of two office-based psychiatrists in California (the first state to legalize MMJ) through case presentations and an informal practice review illustrate the role that diverted MMJ plays in the clinical presentation of youth for psychiatric care, highlighting clinical implications and guidelines for treators as states legalize MJ for adult recreational use. Methods: Two child and adolescent psychiatrists practicing in California over the last twenty years report on their experiences working with adolescent patients and their families during the period of legalized MMJ. After a comprehensive literature review, they report their clinical observations and make recommendations for treators of adolescents. Discussion: There is general confusion among adolescents and their parents about MJ and MMJ. There is a lack of clear regulatory guidelines and a need for better clinical training for prescribing physicians. Diversion of MMJ to teens during periods of legalization of medical marijuana is common in states where it has not been legislated or regulated sufficiently to provide effective safeguards. This lax approach is demonstrated by our case reports and clinical review. Similar experiences have been reported elsewhere. Increased problems with diversion are expected as legalization efforts continue. Professionals and their organizations need to become more active in advocating policies to protect youth from potential harm related to cannabis use and abuse and carefully evaluate its use among their teen patients.