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.