Speaker Name: Dr. Philip Tibbo
Session Description:
Cannabis use, when initiated during adolescence, has been associated with the development and exacerbation of a variety of mental health conditions. Most notably, cannabis use is a modifiable risk factor for the development of psychosis and is increasingly associated with anxiety disorders, depression, and cannabis use disorder. Of note, the proportion of individuals diagnosed with psychosis has been increasing in Canada in recent years, which may be related to cannabis use behaviors such as frequency of use and potency of product used. Once someone has been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, continued cannabis use affects symptomatic and functional outcomes. In addition, with respect to school-based outcomes, review studies have also reported that frequent or early cannabis use is particularly associated with higher dropout rates, lower GPA, and delayed graduation, with truancy emerging as a potential mediator in some cases. It is critical to be aware of the literature around cannabis use variables and potential outcomes as it relates to school-based performance and mental health, as this cannabis research can further inform therapeutic interventions, health policy, and young adult cannabis education to reduce negative health outcomes. This talk will review this literature, focusing on youth and young adults and including approaches to navigating the domain of cannabis and negative outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Appreciate how varying patterns of cannabis use affects risk for mental health outcomes in youth and young adults
- Appreciate the effects of cannabis use in school-based outcomes
- Develop an understanding of practical age-based cannabis education to reduce risks
References:
Nosko JAM., Crocker CE., Hambly Lapointe C, Tibbo, PG. (2025) Cannabis use in adolescence and young adulthood and its effects on brain structure and function: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry: Neuroimaging (2025) 16. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1644105
Yang L, Tibbo PG, Stewart SH, Simon P, Bullerwell M, Wang J. (2024) A cross-sectional study of the relationships between frequency of cannabis use and psychiatric symptoms among people seeking mental health and addiction services in Nova Scotia (2019-21). Journal of Psychiatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.018
Fischer B, Hall W, Fidalgo TM, Hoch E, LeFoll B, Medina-Mora ME, Reimer J, Tibbo P, Jutras-Aswad D. (2023) Recommendations for reducing the risk of cannabis use-related adverse psychosis outcomes: A public mental health-oriented evidence review. Journal of Dual Diagnosis. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2023.2226588
BIO
Dr Tibbo is Professor, Dr Paul Janssen Chair in Psychotic Disorders and Director of Research in the Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University. He is also Clinical Director for Early Psychosis Intervention Nova Scotia and Past-President of EPI Canada. Dr. Tibbo’s research is in the area of schizophrenia, primarily with individuals at the early phase of, and at risk for, a psychotic illness. His areas of research include in vivo brain neuroimaging as well as co-morbid substance use (e.g. cannabis) in early phase psychosis, pathways to care/service delivery, education, and non-pharmacological treatment options. He is funded by local and national peer reviewed funding agencies. Dr Tibbo was a recipient of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health’s Champion of Mental Health Research award in 2017 and the 2018 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Prix d’Excellence – Specialist of the Year (region 5).