An Update on the Behavioral and Neurobiological Effects of Cannabis Use in Adolescents: A Translational Perspective

The convergence of early initiation, increasing product potency, and widespread availability has reshaped the contemporary cannabis landscape, heightening concerns about its impact on adolescent mental health. Translational research combining longitudinal human neuroimaging and animal models provides compelling evidence that cannabis use-particularly with high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and frequent use-can disrupt adolescent brain development and behavior. This vulnerability is especially relevant to trajectories leading to psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder, while also elevating risks for anxiety and depression. Although not all adolescents who use cannabis will experience adverse outcomes, a susceptible subset may face lasting consequences. These risks underscore the urgent need for targeted public education and innovative clinical research to mitigate cannabis-associated harms. Encouragingly, emerging neurobiological findings suggest that not all cannabis-induced brain changes persist into adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms implicated in the long-term effects of THC exposure further indicate that some neural and behavioral alterations may be reversible. Given the high plasticity of the adolescent brain, this evidence points to a critical window for prevention and early intervention strategies capable of altering the course of cannabis-related psychopathology and supporting more resilient developmental outcomes.