For years, I believed cannabis was relatively harmless. As a clinician specializing in teens and young adults, I thought, “At least it’s not opioids.” Throughout the opioid crisis, I worked tirelessly with clients and downplayed cannabis use, seeing it as a rite of passage and something most young people experimented with. I reassured panicked parents, considering the risk manageable compared to other substances.


I was wrong.


What started as occasional cases of paranoia or anxiety among my clients turned into something darker. I began encountering teens hospitalized with delusions and hallucinations after using high-potency THC products. Some developed severe psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. These cases ceased to be rare or extreme. Today’s cannabis is not what many of us tried in college. It’s often ten times stronger, and it’s harming our young people.


One defining moment was a 17-year-old who had never shown signs of mental illness. After several months of daily cannabis use, he was hospitalized for psychosis. He believed his parents were actors, the hospital a government trap, and he needed to escape. It was terrifying—for him, his family, and for me, a professional who had underestimated this risk.


I delved into the research, and the evidence was unequivocal: heavy, early, and frequent cannabis use significantly increases the risk of psychosis, especially in adolescents. I realized I’d contributed to a system that trivialized these harms. Since then, I’ve transformed how I communicate with families, educate teens, and approach early intervention.


Cannabis-induced psychosis is real. It’s preventable. It’s time we stop pretending marijuana is benign, particularly when young brains are still developing.


If you’re a parent concerned about your teen’s cannabis use, trust your instincts. Don’t let outdated beliefs or social narratives keep you from speaking up. I missed the warning signs once. I won’t make that mistake again.


You’re not alone. Here’s what you can do:

  • Speak with your teen’s school counselor—they can be a key ally.
  • Reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in adolescent substance use.
  • Contact organizations like SAMHSA or Every Brain Matters for support, resources, and guidance.


Early action makes a difference. Let’s protect our kids by staying informed and speaking up.





John Puls, is a licensed clinical social worker and addiction specialist focused on adolescent and young adult mental health. He is the co-founder and COO of Full Life Comprehensive Care in Florida and has worked across crisis units, residential programs, and outpatient clinics. Once a skeptic of cannabis-related risks, John now speaks out about the dangers of high-potency THC—especially cannabis-induced psychosis—and helps families recognize early signs and access effective care.