Last updated on: 9/10/2007 | Author: ProCon.org

Jason Schiffman, PhD Biography

Title:
Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Position:
Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?"
Reasoning:

“Findings suggest that regular cannabis users are significantly more prone to cognitive and perceptual distortions as well as disorganization, but not interpersonal deficits, than non-regular users and those who have never used. Additionally, the onset of schizotypal symptoms generally precedes the onset of cannabis use. The findings do not support a causal link between cannabis use and schizotypal traits.”

“Symptoms of Schizotypy Precede Cannabis Use,” Psychiatry Research, 2005
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with MDs, PhDs, JDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to medical marijuana. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to medical marijuana issues.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Associate Professor, Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 2009-present
  • Director of Clinical Training, Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 2009-present
  • Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Aug. 2007-2009
  • Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Aug. 2003–Jul. 2007
  • Member, Society for Research in Psychopathology
  • Member, American Psychological Association
  • Member, Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy
  • Recipient, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division Grant, “Clinical Therapy and Assessment, Department of Education,” July 1, 2004–June 30, 2007
  • Recipient, Young Investigators Award (grant), “Prediction of Psychosis among High–Risk Adolescents in Hawaii,” Aug. 2004–Aug. 2006
  • Recipient, National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NASRAD) Research Grant
  • Recipient, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Research Service Award
Education:
  • PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Southern California, 2003
  • Pre–doctoral Clinical Internship, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • BA, Psychology, Emory University, 1996
Other:
  • None found
Quoted in:
  1. Does Marijuana Use Increase the Risk of Psychosis (Including Schizophrenia)?