Cannabis Propaganda
Published on October 23, 2025
DENVER, CO. — As cannabis legalization expands across the United States, a wave of negative propaganda is resurfacing, particularly targeting its alleged role in youth suicide. Recent campaigns, including memes promoted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in partnership with anti-marijuana groups like Johnny’s Ambassadors, claim that cannabis use among young people directly fuels depression, psychosis, and suicidal behaviors. 1 Headlines from outlets like Psychiatric News echo these concerns, citing studies that link adolescent cannabis use to heightened risks of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide attempts. 2 With over 45 million Americans reporting cannabis use in 2019—a number that continues to rise—these narratives risk overshadowing a more nuanced discussion about public health. 3
A Surge in Anti-Cannabis Messaging
While these claims draw from real data, they often present correlation as causation, ignoring the complex interplay of factors in youth mental health crises. This reporting explores the limitations of such propaganda, emphasizing the need to address systemic failures in mental health support rather than scapegoating a plant.
The Data: Associations, Not Causation
Studies consistently show an association between cannabis use and increased suicidality among youth. A 2025 National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis of over 280,000 young adults (ages 18–35) found that cannabis users were more likely to report suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, even after accounting for depression—with risks higher for women. 3 Similarly, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies involving 34,859 young people (ages 11–21) reported that cannabis smokers faced 2.33 times higher odds of suicide attempts compared to non-users. 4
However, these findings highlight correlation, not direct causation. Researchers note that youth turning to cannabis often do so as self-medication for underlying issues like anxiety, trauma, or undiagnosed depression—conditions that independently elevate suicide risk. 5 A 2019 systematic review in JAMA Pediatrics , for instance, adjusted for confounders like prior mental health disorders and still found associations, but emphasized the need for longitudinal studies to disentangle self-medication from exacerbation. 6 Blaming cannabis overlooks that toxicology reports frequently detect substances postmortem simply because they are commonly used recreationally, not because they triggered the act.
Recreational Use: Cannabis and Alcohol in Context
No one disputes that both cannabis and alcohol are predominantly used recreationally, especially among youth. In the U.S., alcohol remains the most consumed substance, with 63.5% of adults reporting past-month use compared to 10.5% for cannabis. 7 Yet, alcohol’s links to suicide are more pronounced and better established. A 2024 meta-analysis found alcohol use disorders associated with a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide of 6.54—far exceeding cannabis’s SMR of 3.31. 8
Alcohol intoxication is present in up to 50% of suicides, often impairing judgment and amplifying impulsivity. 9 In contrast, while cannabis use correlates with a 50% increased odds of suicidal ideation in adulthood for adolescent users, studies like a 2021 analysis in JAMA Network Open show that trends in suicidality rose 40–60% from 2008–2019 even after controlling for cannabis prevalence—pointing to broader societal shifts. 10 If we’re honest about recreational substances, alcohol’s societal toll demands equal scrutiny, yet it escapes the same vilification.
Systemic Failures in Mental Health
Suicide is rarely the result of a single factor like substance use; it’s the tragic endpoint of systemic breakdowns in support networks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies multifaceted risks: untreated mental health conditions (present in 90% of cases), social isolation, economic hardship, trauma, and barriers to care.
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A 2022 thematic analysis of root cause reports from a UK mental health trust found that 78% of inpatient suicides involved denied ideation at last contact, often due to overburdened services and missed follow-ups—not substance use alone.
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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse or household dysfunction, quadruple suicide risk and are far more predictive than any recreational drug. 13 Unemployment, living alone, and financial strain—exacerbated by inadequate social safety nets—further compound vulnerability. 14 In the U.S., where youth suicide rates climbed 57% from 2007–2021, the crisis stems from underfunded mental health services, stigma around seeking help, and a lack of community resources—not a “cannabis epidemic.” 15
Propaganda that fixates on cannabis diverts attention from these root causes. It stigmatizes users, discourages open dialogue, and perpetuates prohibition-era tactics that hinder access to regulated, tested products. Instead of vilifying a plant, we must invest in comprehensive mental health infrastructure: universal screening, trauma-informed care, and equitable access to therapy.
A Call for Balanced Advocacy
Cannabis, like alcohol, carries risks when used recreationally by youth—risks amplified by high-potency products and easy access. Education on responsible use, age restrictions, and harm reduction remains essential. Yet, pinning systemic tragedies on one substance is a cop-out that fails those in need.
The path forward lies in empathy and evidence: supporting research into cannabis’s therapeutic potential for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain, while dismantling barriers to mental health care. Organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention advocate for holistic approaches—focusing on protective factors like strong social connections and coping skills. 15 By addressing the full spectrum of suicide’s drivers, we honor the lost and empower the living.
Conclusion
The recent barrage of anti-cannabis messaging serves as a stark reminder of how fear-mongering can eclipse progress. Suicide prevention demands we confront uncomfortable truths: Our systems are failing youth long before any substance enters the picture. Let’s redirect the conversation from blame to solutions—funding mental health, fostering resilience, and treating all recreational substances with measured scrutiny.
Share your experiences or resources in the comments. Together, we can advocate for a healthier, more compassionate future.
For immediate support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit afsp.org .
References
- DEA & Johnny’s Ambassadors, “Cannabis and Mental Health” Campaign, 2025.
- Psychiatric News, “Cannabis Use in Adolescence Linked to Depression, Suicidality,” 2025.
- National Institutes of Health, “Cannabis Use and Suicidality in Young Adults,” 2025.
- Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis, The Lancet Psychiatry , 2025.
- Fontanella et al., Journal of Affective Disorders , 2021.
- Gobbi et al., JAMA Pediatrics , 2019.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Borges et al., Alcohol Research: Current Reviews , 2024.
- Cherpitel et al., Addiction , 2022.
- Twenge et al., JAMA Network Open , 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Suicide Prevention Resource for Action,” 2024.
- National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (UK), 2022.
- Felitti et al., American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 1998 (updated analysis 2023).
- World Health Organization, “Social Determinants of Mental Health,” 2024.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Youth Suicide Statistics & Risk Factors,” 2025.
