CANNABIS has been identified as a “risk factor” in 20% of adult mental health admissions so far this year, it has emerged – just months after the mental health director warned of a “notable increase” in admissions for those prescribed large amounts of medicinal cannabis.
According to a recent freedom-of-information request, there were 100 admissions to adult acute mental health facility Orchard Ward between 1 January 2025 and 31 July 2025.
Of these admissions, cannabis use was identified in the initial assessment as a risk factor in 20 admissions – six of which included the reported use of prescribed medicinal cannabis.
It comes after mental health director Andy Weir raised concerns about prescribing practices for Islanders with serious mental illness amid a “notable increase” in inpatient admissions for in those prescribed large amounts of medicinal cannabis.
“We’re seeing a significant increase in mental health patients that are requiring admission acutely – for example, to Orchard Ward – who have been using large amounts of prescribed cannabis prior to that admission,” Mr Weir explained.
He told the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel in May that there were “significant concerns” about the volume of cannabis being prescribed and the nature of those prescriptions, particularly for people with known serious mental illnesses.
“People with psychotic illness, for example, are becoming unwell more quickly – and perhaps more unwell – because they’re utilising cannabis instead of prescribed medicines,” he said.
The mental health director also raised concerns about risks of increased psychotic symptoms, especially in young people.
“There’s really good evidence around young people and the use of cannabis when brains are developing that shows that that high volumes of cannabis can significantly lead to psychotic symptoms,” he said.
“So we’re seeing people that are struggling anyway, who are just struggling more because of the prescribing of medicinal cannabis.”
Speaking to the JEP this month, Mr Weir reiterated his previous concerns.
“We are seeing an increase in people presenting in the acute mental health unit where cannabis is a concern identified either on admission or during the admission,” he said.
“There’s no doubt about that.”
But he added: “I’m frequently positioned as being anti-cannabis. I’m not anti-cannabis, I’m anti-use of cannabis in people with serious mental health conditions, and anti-high levels of cannabis in youngsters where it adversely affects their brain.”
Mr Weir said that while people make their own choices about cannabis use, it is important those choices are informed and that clinical advice is sought – especially for those with serious mental health conditions.
Last year, politicians rejected a proposition which would have decriminalised cannabis for personal use by one vote.
In November, States Members will hold another debate on whether Jersey should change the law in relation to non-medicinal cannabis – and what those changes should be.
Regarding the upcoming debate, Mr Weir said: “If people are going to go out and buy cannabis and smoke it, that’s their choice.
“But if they have got a serious mental health problem and they’re taking it then yes, we will have a view.”
