Genome-wide association study of cannabis

Cannabis dependence is a serious problem worldwide and it is of growing importance in the United States as marijuana becomes increasingly legal.

A new study published online by JAMA Psychiatry examined what specific genetic variants might contribute to cannabis dependence.

Joel Gelernter, M.D., of the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., and coauthors conducted a genome-wide association study for DSM-IV cannabis dependence criterion in three independent substance dependence study groups among African American and European American participants.

The authors report cannabis dependence has a genetic risk component that may overlap with other psychiatric disorders.