While evidence suggests that early marijuana use may trigger schizophrenia in some vulnerable people, and it may also make relapses more likely in some people with existing schizophrenia, many of the studies about marijuana use seem to be inconclusive for a number of complex reasons, and the writers of the chapters of this book frequently make a strong case for considerable large-scale follow-up research.

Marijuana and Madness is made up of a series of 13 linked chapters: each, in effect, is a well-researched academic article with extensive references. It is edited by David Castle, of the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria and the University of Melbourne, and Robin Murray, of the Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry in London. Both editors contribute chapters of their own to the book. Other essays have been sourced from academics and researchers from institutions all over the world.

The chapters are not merely thematically linked; they follow a logical progression through the many aspects of the subject. The collection begins with two chapters of biochemistry, "The Cannabinoid System: from the Point of View of the Chemist" and "How Cannabis Works in the Brain", both complete with molecular diagrams. It then works through various aspects of the complicated inter-relationship between the drug and mental disorders, with chapters including "Cannabis as a Potential Causal Factor in Schizophrenia", "The Endogenous Cannabinoid System in Schizophrenia" and "Motives that Maintain Cannabis Use Among Individuals with Psychotic Disorders".

At the end there are more treatment-oriented chapters, "Addressing Cannabis Use in People with Psychosis" and "Residual Cognitive Effects of Long-term Cannabis Use". Most chapters provide a review of the research that has been conducted in their particular topic, and draw conclusions — often in the form of a call for a larger, better-designed study.

This is a serious academic work, not popular science. However, it should be of great value to anyone interested in the topic, provided they are willing to take time to understand the painstakingly nuanced statements of scientific facts and theories the authors provide.