The Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines for Psychosis (LRCUG-PSYCH) are evidence-based recommendations for reducing psychosis-related risks when using cannabis. The guidelines aim to empower individuals to understand the potential risks related to their cannabis use and to make choices about their consumption to help reduce their individual risk of psychotic outcomes. The LRCUG-PSYCH were developed by a team of international health and addiction experts and are based on a comprehensive review and evidence grading of scientific literature on cannabis use and its associations with the development, course, and outcomes of psychosis. The LRCUG-PSYCH were published in the Journal of Dual Diagnosis in 2023 and consist of 11 core public health oriented recommendations.
The LRCUG-PSYCH are a public mental health resource for psychosis-related education, prevention, and harm reduction for non-medical cannabis use. The guidelines are for:
- Individuals who are thinking about using cannabis or who are actively using cannabis
- Individuals who have a history of, or are at an elevated risk of developing psychosis
- Clinicians, professionals, organizations or government entities dedicated to improving the health of people who use cannabis
In addition to the guidelines, a suite of resources (including an Evidence Brief, Brochure and Clinical Toolkit) have been developed to support awareness, education and implementation of the LRCUG-PSYCH in community and clinical settings. All tools will be available in both English and French and can be used as online or printed formats.