Individuals may be predisposed to developing an addictive disorder due to various biological and sociological factors. This may support vulnerability towards initial use as well as both the positive and negative reinforcement that follows. Having a comorbid psychiatric disorder further complicates this, as the initial positive reinforcement received and the later withdrawal alleviation may mask itself as ‘self-medication’. The reality, however, is that the perception of self-medicating one’s mental illness with cannabis is common in mentally ill patients. The evidence thus far supports more harmful effects of recreational cannabis use on mental illness, rather than therapeutic. The high prevalence of cannabis users self-reported therapeutic effects, however, creates a paradox that has negatively influenced societal and political perspectives, as well as contributed to polarized views on cannabis. Collection and analysis of prospective data is vital in order to disseminate accurate information to the public so that individuals can make informed choices, and evidence-based policies can be implemented.
