Cannabis-related psychosis hospitalizations rise sharply in Victoria, Monash University study finds

A Monash University study analyzing nearly 40,000 admissions in Victoria finds primary cannabis hospitalizations rose 49% between 2013 and 2023. Psychosis accounts for 40% of cases, making it the top diagnosis. Admissions among females surge by 75%, though males aged 15 to 24 record the highest overall rate. Over two-thirds of stays span multiple days and 1,500 cases require ICU care, highlighting severe strain on Victoria's healthcare system.

Cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria

• ▪A Monash University study published in Addiction found hospital admissions primarily caused by cannabis increased by 49% across Victoria between 2013 and 2023.
• ▪Monash University researchers analyzed almost 40,000 cannabis-related hospital admissions across public and private hospitals in Victoria over a 10-year observational period.

Cannabis-induced psychosis prevalence

• ▪A Monash University study found psychotic disorders accounted for 40% of cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria between 2013 and 2023, making psychosis the most common primary diagnosis.
• ▪Monash University research showed harmful cannabis use caused 15.2% of Victorian hospital admissions between 2013 and 2023, while poisonings and withdrawal each accounted for 11.6%.

Gender patterns in admissions

• ▪Monash University researchers found overall cannabis-related hospital admission rates in Victoria remained higher among males than females across the decade between 2013 and 2023.
• ▪Monash University research showed cannabis-related hospital admissions among females in Victoria rose by 75% between 2013 and 2023, more than double the 35% rise recorded among males.

Age patterns in admissions

• ▪A Monash University study showed males aged 15 to 24 recorded the highest overall rate of cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria, followed by females aged 15 to 24.
• ▪Monash University research identified young people aged 15 to 24 as having the highest overall cannabis-related hospital admission rates in Victoria between 2013 and 2023.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on rates

• ▪Monash University researchers linked the peak in Victorian cannabis hospitalizations during 2020 and 2021 to lockdown-related mental health distress and changes in domestic cannabis supply.
• ▪Monash University researchers found cannabis-related hospital admission rates in Victoria peaked during 2020 and 2021, coinciding with COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Healthcare system burden from cannabis

• ▪A Monash University study revealed that more than 1,500 cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria required intensive care treatment between 2013 and 2023.
• ▪Monash University research showed more than two-thirds of cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria involved stays of multiple days, with a median stay of seven days.
• ▪Lead author Myfanwy Graham from the Monash Addiction Research Centre stated that rising cannabis hospitalizations in Victoria reflect severe mental health harms that place a growing strain on healthcare.

Debatable claims

• ▪Victoria should launch targeted public health campaigns on cannabis risks for young women
• ▪Cannabis-related admissions create an unsustainable strain on Victoria's public health system
• ▪Cannabis consumption poses a severe public health risk through induced psychosis