(CNN) – New studies show marijuana does not relieve common mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Researchers in Australia analyzed dozens of controlled trials published between 1980 and 2025.
They found marijuana does not reduce symptoms of a variety of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
The author of one of the two studies also said marijuana did not improve other mental health conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or schizophrenia.
However, experts said the use of medical and recreational marijuana for mental health is growing.
About one in four people in the United States and Canada use marijuana for medicinal purposes. About half of those people use it to manage their mental health, even though there is no evidence it helps.
The research was published in Lancet Psychiatry.
Copyright 2026 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.