A new link has been found between marijuana use and mental illness.

Reuters reported on March 3 that Dutch scientists found marijuana use nearly doubled the risk of developing psychotic disorders later in life.

Just last year, a study found young people who smoked pot for six years or more were twice as likely to have psychotic episodes, hallucinations or delusions.

"This study adds a further brick to the wall of evidence showing that use of traditional cannabis is a contributory cause of psychoses like schizophrenia," said Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London who was not involved in the research.

Some scientists and researchers believe the results of the study may cause lawmakers to take a long hard look before legalizing the use of marijuana both for medical and recreational use in various states.

"Authorities should take "a cautious and thoughtful approach to cannabis legislation," said Peter Kinderman, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Liverpool.

"It's important to remember that psychosis is a very complex bio-psycho-social phenomenon. but this important paper certainly reminds us that there's a strong link to the use of cannabis," he added.

The latest study followed 1,923 adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 24 years old for 10 years. The results were published in the British Medical Journal.