8. Cannabis and ADHD – Not Quite the Wonder Drug

At the end of this session, participants will be able to: Cannabis became legal in Canada in October 2018. Goals were to improve safety and public health as well as to reduce access by youth and curtail the illegal market. We are now at a point to discuss how this has impacted our health care system and its effect on individuals with ADHD. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are highly prevalent in ADHD. Cannabis is associated with attentional and neurocognitive impairments which magnify the impairments of ADHD. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the high comorbidity between cannabis use disorder and ADHD, including shared dopaminergic dysfunction and the role of the endocannabinoid system. In this symposium, we will review current statistics and the impact of legalization on its use. A case presentation of an ADHD youth with cannabis induced psychosis will be examined. Up to date scientific knowledge on how cannabis affects the brain and the updated CADDRA statement on Cannabis and ADHD will be reviewed. Lastly, screening, assessment, and treatment of cannabis use disorder will be discussed so that attendees can better identify the prevalence, use patterns, and motivations for cannabis use among individuals with ADHD.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the effect of cannabis legalization on health care in particular with respect to ADHD.
2. Recognize the neurocognitive effects of cannabis and how this impacts ADHD.
3. Identify techniques to screen for and address the management of cannabis use in ADHD from psychoeducation to the need for intensive treatment programs.

CADDRA – Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance has been approved by the College of Family Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Psychological Association to offer 1.25 continuing education credits for this session.  CADDRA maintains responsibility for the program.

Participation in a discussion forum is required to claim full credits.