Delta 9‐tetrahydrocannabinol - a psychoactive compound found in cannabis - activates parts of the brain responsible for cognition, perception, anxiety, fear, memory and reward.

There are continuous debates about the link between cannabis use and psychotic disorders.

Some researchers believe cannabis use is one of the contributing risk factors that cause people to develop psychotic disorders. In contrast, other researchers argue that there is a shared vulnerability, and risk factors for the development of a psychotic disorder may also play a role in the presence of addictive behaviours.

According to the Spanish Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Schools (ESTUDES), cannabis remains the most used illegal substance among Spanish adolescents, with around 3 out of 10 students reporting lifetime use. 

Several studies have warned of the implications of the use of cannabis on neurobiological development. Therefore, it is vital to identify and analyse the risk factors linked with adolescent cannabis use in order to design appropriate prevention interventions.

In a recent study, published in Adicciones, researchers have analysed:

• current figures for the number of adolescents...