Canada Studies Link Between Pot Smoking And Schizophrenia

August 20, 2009 6:39 a.m. EST

Winnipeg, Manitoba (AHN) - The Canadian government is funding a study examining the link between smoking marijuana and the risk of schizophrenia.

The government announced that it is giving the advocacy group, the Schizophrenia Society of Canada more than $550,000 to study the association and to prepare educational material on the subject aimed at Canadian children.

The campaign will also examine why children at risk of developing psychosis are drawn to illicit drugs, according to a Health Canada statement.

The program is part of an overall anti-drug effort by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced in 2007.