The scientists said the negative effect of marijuana use occurs only in people already genetically predisposed to the mental illness. "It is therefore advisable that youngsters with a family history of schizophrenia and patients with a schizophrenic disorder be discouraged from using cannabis," the report said.

After past research showed a link between marijuana and schizophrenia, the Dutch government tightened its law on selling marijuana in government-regulated coffee shops. The new law also banned alcohol in coffee shops this year and calls for a ban on smoking in 2005. As a result, the number of cannabis cafes in the Netherlands has significantly declined.

As a result of their findings, the researchers concluded that, "there is no justification for the proposed closure of coffee shops."

The report appears in this week's Magazine for Psychiatry, a peer-reviewed journal.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES:
Comments are meant for thoughtful public discussion of the article published above. Therefore:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic.
   
   
2. Do not post personal requests for help (see resources).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully for spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.
   
   
4. Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated comments are prohibited.
   

We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.