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Cannabis-related hospitalisations in Victoria up 49% over a decade, study finds

Psychosis is the leading driver, with younger women and older adults showing the largest increases

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
A new ten-year study of nearly 40,000 hospital admissions in Victoria has found that cannabis-related hospitalisations increased by 49% between 2013 and 2023, with cannabis-induced psychosis as the leading cause, according to researchers from Monash University.

The study, published in the journal Addiction, analysed 39,565 hospital admissions in Victoria where cannabis was the main reason for hospitalisation. Over the decade, such admissions rose by 49%. Cannabis-related psychosis accounted for 40.1% of all these cases, while poisoning made up less than 12%. Most patients (68%) stayed in hospital for longer than 24 hours, with an average stay of one week for all cannabis-related admissions. More than 1,500 patients required intensive care.

Researchers noted that admissions peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, coinciding with isolation, job losses, and broader mental health struggles. Wastewater monitoring confirmed a rise in cannabis use around that time, while local cannabis supply remained largely accessible despite border closures.

Males aged 15 to 24 remain the largest group hospitalised overall, but the biggest increases over the decade were among younger women and adults aged 65 and older. The authors, Myfanwy Graham and Suzanne Nielsen, said their findings support growing concerns among doctors about rising rates of cannabis-related psychosis.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The 49% rise in hospitalisations indicates a significant public health burden, particularly from cannabis-induced psychosis, which can have long-term mental health consequences.
  • The increase among younger women and older adults challenges assumptions about which groups are most affected, potentially requiring targeted health responses.
  • The study adds to ongoing debates about cannabis regulation, legalisation, and harm reduction strategies.

Background

Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs globally, and its potency has increased in recent decades. In Australia, cannabis use has been linked to a range of health issues, including mental health problems. Hospitalisation data provides a useful indicator of severe health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic period saw increased stress and isolation, which can contribute to substance use. This study is among the first long-term analyses of hospital records in Victoria to quantify these trends.

Key Perspectives

Researchers: The authors argue that the findings justify concerns about rising cannabis-related psychosis and call for public health attention to the issue. Public health advocates: They may view these data as evidence for stronger regulation and education about cannabis risks. Critics/Skeptics: Some may question whether the rise reflects increased reporting or changes in hospital admission practices rather than a true increase in incidence. Others might argue the study does not establish causation between cannabis use and psychosis.

What to Watch

  • Whether hospitalisation rates continue to rise after the pandemic peak or stabilise.
  • Policy responses from Victorian health authorities in light of these findings.
  • Future studies on demographic shifts, particularly among older adults and younger women.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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