Development of a motivational enhancement therapy cannabis-reduction intervention for young adults experiencing psychosis: A feasibility pilot study.
Denise D. Walker, Ryan Petros, Melanie Bennett, Mackenzie E. Tennison, Maria Monroe‐DeVita
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal July 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1037/prj0000654 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | One-arm pilot study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Young adults experiencing psychosis who were regular cannabis consumers and engaged in Coordinated Specialty Care |
| Intervention | Cannabis Check-Up for Psychosis (CCU-P) |
| Duration | Two sessions |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | The adapted Cannabis Check-Up for Psychosis was feasible and acceptable in a small pilot: 92% of participants completed both sessions, satisfaction was high, and all said they would recommend it. The authors conclude it is a promising nonjudgmental, science-based intervention and that a larger efficacy trial is warranted. |
Abstract
Objective: Cannabis use is common among young adults experiencing psychosis (YA-P) and is associated with negative consequences. Effective cannabis interventions for YA-P have not been identified. The Teen Marijuana Check-Up is a two-session intervention to reduce heavy cannabis use in YA-P who are not seeking cannabis treatment. We used data from interviews and focus groups to optimize the Teen Marijuana Check-Up for YA-P and conducted a demonstration project of this optimized intervention-the Cannabis Check-Up for Psychosis (CCU-P)-to evaluate its acceptability and feasibility.
Methods: Findings from qualitative interviews and focus groups were used to design optimizations that were reviewed by a Stakeholder Advisory Board for feedback. The final CCU-P was evaluated in a one-arm pilot study with 12 YA-P who were regular cannabis consumers and engaged in Coordinated Specialty Care. Feasibility (tracking participation) and acceptability (satisfaction ratings, qualitative input) were evaluated.
Results: Optimizations included (a) questions to elicit discussion of cannabis' impact on mental health, psychosis, and treatment; (b) data-based comparisons with infographics to inform about risks for rehospitalization and challenges to recovery associated with cannabis use; and (c) an infographic to detail harm reduction strategies. Overall, 92% completed both CCU-P sessions. Intervention satisfaction was high. All participants reported that they would recommend CCU-P to others in Coordinated Specialty Care.
Conclusions: AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: CCU-P is a promising intervention, resonant with principles of psychiatric rehabilitation, that uses a nonjudgmental approach, provides science-based information about cannabis-psychosis interactions, and supports participants to make informed choices about use. A larger efficacy trial is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility of a cannabidiol-dominant cannabis-based medicinal product for the treatment of long COVID symptoms: A single-arm open-label feasibility trial. Individuals diagnosed with long COVID | 2024 | Single-arm open-label feasibility trial | n = 12 |
| A proposal to evaluate mechanistic efficacy of hallucinogens in addiction treatment Prescription opioid abusers | 2013 | Proposed clinical trial | |
| Does acute stress induced via cold water immersion increase blood THC concentrations in regular cannabis users? Regular cannabis users (more than 3 days per week; 9 female, average use 5.0 ± 1.5 days... | 2025 | Single-arm pre-/post-intervention trial | n = 15 |
| Longitudinal Associations Between Cannabis Use and Cognitive Impairment in a Clinical Sample of Middle-Aged Adults Using Cannabis for Medical Symptoms Adults aged 45 years and older who used cannabis for medical symptoms | 2024 | Secondary analysis of a clinical trial | n = 62 |
| An Individual's Lived Experiences of Taking Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs) to Treat Anxiety. The author, a patient with chronic treatment-refractive anxiety and other mental health... | 2023 | Autoethnography (n-of-1 case report within a clinical trial) | n = 1 |