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Health

High-strength medicinal cannabis linked to psychiatric side effects, Australian study finds

Friday, 8 May 2026, 07:26 · 1 min read

A new Australian study has found that more than half of all reported adverse events involving medicinal cannabis products were linked to high-THC formulations, with psychiatric disorders — including anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic episodes — emerging as the most common harm. Researchers analysed over 1,100 adverse event reports submitted to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA, Australia's medicines regulator) between mid-2022 and May 2025, covering products with THC concentrations ranging from 13% to over 88% — well above the 30–35% ceiling found in natural cannabis plants. The findings are particularly concerning because adverse events are widely believed to be under-reported, and the study identified 14 cases involving suicidal thoughts or attempts; researchers are calling for stricter prescribing oversight, especially for young people and those with existing mental health conditions.

Sources
The ConversationHigher-strength medicinal cannabis may be linked to a disturbing pattern of side effects, our study shows ↗︎
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