Cannabis-related hospital admissions in Victoria rose by 49 per cent between 2013 and 2023, with psychosis and other severe mental health harms driving an alarming increase, new Monash University research has found.
Researchers examined more than 40,000 cannabis-related hospital admissions across public and private hospitals in the Australian state over the decade. More than two-thirds involved stays lasting several days, while more than 1,500 patients were transferred to intensive care.
Lead researcher Myfanwy Graham said the data showed a “significant rise” in admissions involving women and girls.
“We’re seeing more people admitted to hospital with cannabis-related health problems, particularly severe mental health harms,” Ms Graham said.
She said hospital admissions generally represented more serious or complex cases than emergency department visits, as patients required further treatment or monitoring.
“The significant rise in hospitalisations among women and girls is particularly concerning and highlights the urgent need for targeted, public health campaigns and earlier intervention strategies,” Ms Graham said.
Men and boys aged between 15 and 24 remained the demographic most commonly linked to cannabis-related hospitalisation overall.
Admissions rose to a marked peak during the Covid-19 pandemic, when large parts of Victoria spent significant periods in lockdown.
