Teens smoking cannabis 60pc less likely to finish school

A new study has found that daily use of cannabis affects teenagers' educational attainment.

According to the study, individuals who are daily users of cannabis before age 17 are over 60 percent less likely to complete high school or obtain a degree compared to those who have never used the drug.

The study also indicates that daily users of cannabis during adolescence are seven times more likely to attempt suicide, have an 18 times greater chance of cannabis dependence, and are eight times as likely to use other illicit drugs in later life.

Study author Richard Mattick said that the findings are particularly timely given that several US states and countries in Latin America have made moves to decriminalize or legalize cannabis, raising the possibility that the drug might become more accessible to young people.

This study provides strong evidence that the prevention or delay of cannabis use is likely to have broad health and social benefits.

The research was published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.