Impact of cannabis legalization on healthcare utilization for psychosis and schizophrenia in Colorado.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emergency department (ED) visits involving psychosis and schizophrenia have increased at a rate exceeding population growth in the United States over the past decade. Research shows a strong dose-response relationship between chronic use of high-potency cannabis and odds of developing symptoms of psychosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cannabis legalization on psychosis and schizophrenia-related ED visits in Colorado.

Methods

Using administrative data from Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) on county-level quarterly ED visits between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, we applied a difference-in-difference analysis to examine how new exposure to recreational cannabis dispensaries after 2014 differentially influenced the rate of ED visit

SUBMITTER: Wang GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9295869 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature