PRIMARY STUDY

Cannabis and psychosis: revisiting a nineteenth century study of 'Indian Hemp and Insanity' in Colonial British India

Key Findings:  The historical review of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report of 1892 (with a focus on mental conditions) shows that then as today the association of cannabis with psychosis was complex rather than black and white. For instance, in 1892, heavy cannabis use was associated with psychiatric conditions, vulnerabilities to psychosis increased with early cannabis use and a family history, different cannabis potency and modes of consumption had different effects, and rare cannabis use was felt to have medicinal benefits for some.