Growing Evidence , Supports Marijuana's Link , to Mental Health Risks . NBC reports that a growing number of experts have raised serious concerns regarding the mental impact of marijuana use by adolescents and young adults reaching record highs. Dr. Ryan Sultan, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia Irving Medical Center, is one of the experts speaking out about the risks associated with marijuana use. Of all the people I’ve diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, I can’t think of a single one who wasn’t also positive for cannabis, Dr. Ryan Sultan, Assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia Irving Medical Center, via NBC. NBC reports that evidence is growing of marijuana's link with psychiatric disorders that include depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. A new study highlights concerns that heavy use of high-potency cannabis could worsen an ongoing mental health crisis in young adults. . A new study highlights concerns that heavy use of high-potency cannabis could worsen an ongoing mental health crisis in young adults. . There is a big sense of urgency not just because more people are smoking marijuana, but because more people are using it in ways that are harmful, with higher and higher concentration of THC. , Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), via NBC. Another study by researchers in Denmark and the U.S. National Institutes of Health found a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. . The findings, which were published in the journal 'Psychological Medicine,' were based on data from nearly 7 million men and women in Denmark. The findings, which were published in the journal 'Psychological Medicine,' were based on data from nearly 7 million men and women in Denmark. Currently, recreational marijuana has been legalized in 22 states, with more states expected to continue the legalization trend. Currently, recreational marijuana has been legalized in 22 states, with more states expected to continue the legalization trend. According to NIDA's most recent data, over one in ten young adults between the ages of 19 and 30 report using marijuana daily, a record high.