Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis use
Abstract
For over two decades, cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, has been the most widely used illicit drug by young people in high-income countries, and has recently become popular on a global scale. Epidemiological research during the past 10 years suggests that regular use of cannabis during adolescence and into adulthood can have adverse effects. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies have established an association between cannabis use and adverse outcomes. We focus on adverse health effects of greatest potential public health interest-that is, those that are most likely to occur and to affect a large number of cannabis users. The most probable adverse effects include a dependence syndrome, increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, impaired respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, and adverse effects of regular use on adolescent psychosocial development and mental health.
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High levels of cannabis use are associated with negative consequences, such as poor educational attainment, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression.
“High levels of cannabis use are also associated with negative consequences, such as poor educational attainment, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression (Hall & Degenhardt, 2009; Volkow et al., 2014).”
From Examining the Prospective Associations Between Mindfulness Facets and Substance Use in Emerging Adulthood. (2021) · cites this paper as Hall & Degenhardt, 2009
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- Authors
- Hall, W., & Degenhardt, L.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Hall, Wayne
- Venue
- The Lancet
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 374
- Issue
- 9698
- Pages
- 1383-1391
- ISSN
- 0099-5355 (ISSN-L)
- 0140-6736
- OpenAlex
- W2135015648
- Cited by
- 1,134
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 84 · 2018: 91 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 94 · 2015: 102 · 2014: 94 · 2013: 72 · 2012: 61
- FWCI
- 4.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Lancet (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Beckley Foundation
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Keywords
- cannabis, adverse health effects, cannabis use disorder, traffic accidents, respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, adolescent psychosocial development, adolescent mental health, illicit drug use
- MeSH terms
- Accidents, Traffic, Adolescent, Adult, Mental Disorders, Cannabis, Marijuana Abuse, Cardiovascular Diseases, Central Nervous System, Humans, Lung Diseases, Marijuana Smoking, Psychotropic Drugs, Dronabinol, Young Adult
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