While studies of cannabis use are numerous, the voices of consumers of cannabis are rarely
heard. Even less prevalent are the voices of young people living with a mental illness, whose
perceptions, attitudes and experiences are crucial to construction of effective health strategies
and campaigns. This paper seeks to enhance understanding of the perceived and experienced
links between cannabis use and mental health by young adults between the ages of 18 and
30 years who are living with a mental illness. With reference to insights gained from focus
groups comprising members of this cohort, motivations for use and non-use of cannabis are
discussed. Reappraisal of cannabis from a relatively safe and ‘soft’ drug to one that is implicated
in psychosis and mental illness renders the experience of this cohort particularly relevant to
public policy and debate.