The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is drawing renewed attention to concerns over cannabis and mental health, promoting a recent report that suggests marijuana may pose a greater risk for psychosis than methamphetamine. The agency’s Just Think Twice campaign circulated the story this week, raising eyebrows with a provocative subject line: “Meth or Cannabis…Which Raises Risk of Psychosis More?”
The article, published by The Lund Report, featured Oregon psychiatrist Dr. David Rettew, who emphasized the neurological risks of early cannabis use, particularly among adolescents. “There’s overwhelming evidence that cannabis use, particularly for young people, changes the brain,” Rettew said. “When it comes to psychosis, there’s really strong evidence at this point that cannabis raises the risk of psychotic disorders more than other drugs, even methamphetamines, which is surprising.”
Though the original piece contained just one mention of meth, the DEA’s decision to highlight the comparison underscores its current messaging strategy: reinforcing the risks of marijuana as public sentiment shifts toward legalization and reform.
This communication comes as the agency continues to weigh a proposal to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act—a move that would ease federal restrictions but not fully legalize the drug. The process has been slowed by ongoing legal challenges and political scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the DEA is ramping up its youth prevention campaigns. During “National Prevention Week,” it partnered with anti-marijuana groups to circulate social media memes making contested claims, including that cannabis reduces sperm count and serves as a gateway to harder substances. In March, the agency backed an “Anti-420 Day” campaign where students posted Instagram videos warning peers about marijuana use.
Critics have long questioned the DEA’s messaging tactics, including a 2023 campaign suggesting teens pursue “natural highs” like becoming Instagram influencers or visiting pet stores. As debates over cannabis policy heat up, the agency appears committed to defending its long-standing stance—even as public policy, and science, continue to evolve.
Read the whole article from MarijuanaMoment here.
