Parent Perspectives on Youth Cannabis Use and Mental Health: Impacts, Challenges, and Recommendations.

Abstract

Cannabis use among youth and young adults (YYA) is rising and poses serious mental health risks, especially with the availability of high-potency products. Parents are often the first to observe the potential impacts of cannabis use and are essential in recognizing early warning signs, facilitating treatment, and supporting recovery. However, limited research has examined the perspectives of parents whose children experience severe mental health challenges following cannabis use. To explore parent perspectives, the research team conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 13 parents who reported their children used cannabis and experienced mental health issues. Interviews were transcribed and dual coded. A deductive-inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes. Four themes were identified including (1) cannabis use and mental health, (2) impact on parents and families, (3) treatment experiences, and (4) system recommendations. Parents described how their children's cannabis use either worsened or appeared to trigger severe mental health crises, which increased emotional and financial burdens on their families. Many encountered health care providers who minimized cannabis-related risks, leading to inadequate support during treatment-seeking efforts. Parents also emphasized a lack of public health warnings and insufficient regulatory oversight, calling for better-informed clinicians and more robust public health messaging. These findings highlight an urgent need for family-supportive behavioral health interventions and regulatory reforms to address cannabis-related mental health issues among YYAs.