A Cork addiction treatment centre says the age profile of people presenting with cannabis as a primary drug problem is become younger
The HSE says people who use cannabis in their teens have an increased risk of developing a significant mental health problem and those who use it regularly are more likely to experience episodes of depression or anxiety
Cannabis is widely available and is seen as a socially acceptable drug
Speaking to RedFM News Declan O'Riordan from Coolmine Addiction Treatment Centre says cannabis can have a significant impact on the development of young people's brains
"Young people's brains are in a state of development as it is, and if you think about the stressors that they are already going through in terms of studying for a Junior Cert or Leaving Cert. You can imagine that a drug that has an effect on memory is going to have a significant impact on their day to day life if they're trying to study, and they're smoking cannabis on a regular basis"
