Talking About Cannabis: Perspectives of First Episode Psychosis Care Participants and Parents
Alicia Lucksted, Donna Bencivengo, A. Saravana, Yasmine Boumaiz, Julie Kreyenbuhl, Russell L. Margolis, Swati Nayar, Kathryn Rinehimer, Krissa Rouse, Rachel Scheinberg, Elizabeth C. Thomas, Denise D. Walker, Max Wolcott, Elizabeth Burris, Ladawn Myers, Christian Kelly, Alison Swigart, Crystal L. Vatza, Allison S. Brandt, Deepak K. Sarpal, Richard W. Goldberg, Robert W. Buchanan, Tyler M Moore, Megan B. E. Jumper, A. Fooks, Arielle Ered, Monica E Caulkins, Melanie Bennett
Journal of dual diagnosis December 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2025.2606020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Young people receiving Coordinated Specialty Care for first-episode psychosis (n=15) and their parents (n=16) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Clients and parents largely agreed on what makes cannabis conversations positive, but had difficulty understanding each other's perspectives and both felt misunderstood. Four themes were identified for optimizing communication: respect for developing client autonomy, "Good Information" about cannabis and its effects, a good communication process, and conversations complicated by changing norms. The authors propose that communication-skills interventions with non-judgmental, high-quality information could help. |
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Given important links between cannabis use and psychosis, we explored communications around about cannabis use with young people receiving Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for first episodes of psychosis and parents of such clients.
Methods: In individual semi-structured interviews, clients (n = 15) and parents (n = 16) discussed experiences, concerns, and preferences talking about cannabis use, and how such conversations could be more beneficial. Analysis followed Braun and Clark’s six-phase thematic analysis.
Results: We discerned four themes toward optimizing communication: (1) Respect for Developing Client Autonomy, (2) “Good Information” about Cannabis and Its Effects, (3) Good Communication Process, and (4) Conversations Complicated by Changing Norms.
Conclusions: Analysis revealed agreement between clients and parents about what makes conversations positive, but difficulties understanding each other’s perspectives, and both feeling misunderstood. Interventions that build communication skills, support these difficult conversations, and provide high quality information in non-judgmental ways could support better cannabis discourse.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis | |
| Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products Web pages related to Spice products | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 200 |
| Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Clubbers in clubs and pre-club bars | 2004 | Cross-sectional survey with focus groups | n = 124 |
| Fascination and Social Togetherness-Discussions about Spice Smoking on a Swedish Internet Forum. Swedish internet forum users who posted reports about Spice intoxication | 2013 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- Poor medication adherence and risk of relapse associated with continued cannabis use in patients with first-episode psychosis: a prospective analysis The Lancet Psychiatry July 10, 2017
- The Effect of Cannabis Use and Cognitive Reserve on Age at Onset and Psychosis Outcomes in First-Episode Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bulletin March 9, 2011
- Developing a theoretical framework for persistent cannabis use among young adults with first episode psychosis Early Intervention in Psychiatry May 16, 2021
- Association of cannabis use with hospital admission and antipsychotic treatment failure in first episode psychosis: an observational study BMJ Open 2016
- Cannabis and First-Episode Psychosis: Different Long-term Outcomes Depending on Continued or Discontinued Use Schizophrenia Bulletin November 13, 2009