DP9104 Cannabis use and suicidal ideation

Author(s):	David Fergusson, John Horwood, Jan C. van Ours, Jenny Williams
Publication Date:	August 2012
Keyword(s):	Cannabis sue, Mental health, Suicidal ideation
JEL(s):	C31, I10, I18
Programme Areas:	Public Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=9104

Globally, suicide has emerged as the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10-24 years old. In order to better understand the causes of this phenomenon, we investigate the relationship between suicidal ideation and cannabis use. Our empirical analysis is based on a 30 year longitudinal study of a birth cohort. We find that intensive cannabis use - at least several times per week - leads to a higher transition rate into suicidal ideation for males. We find no evidence that suicidal ideation leads to cannabis use for either males or females.