‘Safe cannabis’ myth that’s left dozens of children in hospital

RECORD numbers of children are being hospitalised after taking cannabis, amid fears that increased ‘medicalisation’ of the drug means young people wrongly believe it to be harmless.

More under-14s than ever have needed medical care after taking the drug, according to worrying new figures.

Record numbers of people aged 15-24 have also been admitted to hospital – which has sparked concern that cannabis could be endangering a generation.

One expert warned that increasingly liberal attitudes could lead to a rising tide of patients suffering with psychosis.

Sir Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King’s College London, highlighted the drug’s potentially devastating effects on young brains.

He said: ‘All the stuff coming out of America about medicinal cannabis, and how cannabis is good for every illness under the sun, has changed people’s attitudes.

‘In general, people think that cannabis is safe and some people think it’s actually medicinal, so there is this change in attitude towards cannabis and more people smoking it of all ages.’

Figures published by Public Health Scotland have revealed record hospitalisations among children and young people who have taken cannabis or its artificial equivalent.

In 2019-20, 39 children aged 14 or under were admitted to hospital after taking cannabinoids – the most since records began in 1996-7. The figure for those aged 15-24 was a record 465 – more than 40 per cent up from 330 in 2018-19.

Last year, 1,339 people died in Scotland from drug misuse – more than three-and-a-half times the rate in England and Wales. The statistics suggest that drug deaths are typically middle-aged men with long-term heroin addiction.

However, more children are being offered illegal marijuana edibles – sweets or chocolates laced with high-strength cannabis.

Claims have been made for the benefits of cannabis – such as research which suggests it may help fight alcohol and drug addiction – and there is growing acceptance that it can be helpful for certain medical conditions.

In the US, where 36 states have legalised medical marijuana, it is commonly used for chronic pain control, in particular that caused by multiple sclerosis.

However, research has also shown a link between cannabis and dangerous psychosis effects in young people.

The killer of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail, Aaron Campbell, was revealed to be a regular cannabis user before he committed his crime on the Isle of Bute in 2018.

Professor Murray said: ‘The more cannabis is consumed, the more people will have problems.

‘More concentrated forms of cannabis are easier to become addicted to. If you start using cannabis under 15, you’re four times more likely to go psychotic than if you start using it when you’re 20 and over. I think this is a warning sign for bigger problems ahead.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘A public health approach to substance use and harm prevention seeks to reduce harms and addresses the broader context of health outcomes and inequalities.

‘Substance use education is delivered in schools, through Curriculum for Excellence, where pupils explore the impact risktaking behaviour has on life choices and health.

‘There are many useful resources available to teachers to deliver meaningful substance use learning, such as the Know The Score website which offers clear and factual information on the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

‘We also provide funding for Crew, who offer harm reduction information and help people make positive choices about drug use by providing non-judgemental, credible and up to date information and support.’

‘More people are likely to have problems’