Peculiarities of Mental Status and Criminal Behavior in Individuals Under Cannabinoid Consumption

Abstract

Introduction

Substance-related mechanism may be capable of promoting brain changes in high-risk individuals [1,2]. Cannabis use reported to be associated in long-term cognitive effects.

Aim

To evaluate mental status and criminal behavior in individuals under cannabinoid consumption in forensic psychiatric assessment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of forensic psychiatry examination reports in psychoactive substance consumption cases (n = 170) in National Service of Forensic Psychiatry 2010–2014. Offenders, which were reported with cannabinoid consumption (n = 57) were assessed by socio-demographic characteristics, mental state, court order and outcome.

Results

Eighty-six percent offenders with cannabinoid consumption in observed period were men. The age of offenders prevailed from 18 to 35 years with basic education; 57.9% of offenders consuming cannabinoids were single (Fig. 1).

A total of 36.8% of all crimes in research group were committed against property, 31.6% – an unlawful possession of psychotropic substances, 22.8% – committed against human health, 8.8% – against public order (Fig. 2).

Conclusions

Impulse control deficiency and emotion disorders were prevalent among offenders under cannabinoid consumption; 17.5% were committed irresponsible, all of them due to comorbid psychiatric disorder. More likely to offend were men, aged 18–35 years, single, who had basic or lower education.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Fig. 1 Peculiarities of mental status.

Fig. 2 Responsibility in offenders under cannabinoid consumption.