The hidden risks of cannabis to mental health are being highlighted.
Mental health teams, made up of nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, doctors, occupational therapists and psychologists, are working with teenagers and young adults across East Sussex who have developed problems as a result of smoking the class C drug.
For some users cannabis can cause psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, strange ideas, confused thinking and acute mood swings.
Although these affects often pass in a few hours, scientists believe heavy use of cannabis, especially in teenagers and young adults, increases the risk of developing a continuing psychosis, like schizophrenia.
Oliver Beatson, member of the East Sussex Youth Cabinet, which is a voice for young people, said: "I think that using cannabis starts off as a social recreation.
"People try it for a new experience either unaware of the risks, or prepared to pay the consequences, thinking 'What's the chance of it going wrong for me?'."
Studies show the mental health risk also rises considerably if stronger forms of cannabis, such as skunk - which has become the 'cannabis of choice' for many people in East Sussex - are used.
Have you successfully tackled a problem with cannabis? Tell us your stories below.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article