Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Psychol MedSep 24, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Giulia Trotta, Victoria Rodriguez, Paolo Marino et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between cannabis use and violence, analyzing data from 63 studies involving 265,079 participants. The findings indicate that cannabis users have a significantly higher risk of perpetrating violence (OR 2.05) and becoming victims of violence (OR 1.49), with particularly strong associations in psychiatric populations and for violence resulting in criminal convictions.
Key findings
- Cannabis users are at a higher risk of perpetrating violence (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.74-2.41).
- The risk of violence is especially high in psychiatric patients (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.72-3.61).
- Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of becoming a victim of violence (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.38-1.60).
- Violence resulting in criminal conviction shows a large effect in both general (OR 3.75) and psychiatric populations (OR 4.21).
Why it matters
Understanding the association between cannabis use and violence is crucial for clinicians, as it may inform risk assessments and intervention strategies, particularly in psychiatric settings where patients may be more vulnerable.