Cannabis Use

Godeau E., Vignes C., Ter Bogt T., Nic Gabhainn S. & Navarro F. (2007). Cannabis use by 15-year old schoolchildren. Data from the HBSC/WHO international survey in 32 countries. Alcoologie et Addictologie, 29, 28S-34S.

by Saoirse Nic Gabhainn

L'étude des représentations sociales de la drogue et du cannabis: un enjeu pour la prévention

by Lionel Dany

Hiding in plain sight: Trouble and triumph recruiting mainstream cannabis users in four Canadian Cities

by Elaine Hyshka

Hyshka, E., Clarke, S., Lambert, L., Plante, E., and A. Walker (2010). “Hiding in plain sight: Trouble and triumph recruiting mainstream cannabis users in four Canadian Cities” In Szarycz, G.S. (Ed.), Research realities in the social sciences. Amherst, NY: Cambria Press.

Legal Regulation of Marijuana: the Better Way

by Elaine Hyshka

Erickson, P.G., Hyshka, E., and Hathaway, A. (2010). "Legal Regulation of Marijuana: the Better Way." In Frost, N.A., Freilich, J.D., and Clear, T.R. (Eds.), Contemporary issues in criminal justice policy: Policy proposals from the American Society of Criminology Conference. Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth.

The time for marijuana decriminalization has come again . . . and again

by Elaine Hyshka

Hyshka, E., Erickson, P., and A. Hathaway (2011). “The time for marijuana decriminalization has come again . . . and again.” Criminal Law Bulletin, 47(2), 258-275

Whither RDS? An investigation of Respondent Driven Sampling as a method of recruiting mainstream marijuana users

by Elaine Hyshka

Hathaway, A., Hyshka, E., Erickson, P., Asbridge, M., Brochu, S., Cousineau, MM, Duff, C., & D. Marsh (2010). Whither RDS? An investigation of Respondent Driven Sampling as a method of recruiting mainstream marijuana users. Harm Reduction Journal, 7:15.

The Saga Continues: Canadian Legislative Attempts to Reform Cannabis Law in the Twenty-First Century1

by Elaine Hyshka

Hyshka, E (2009). The Saga Continues: Canadian Legislative Attempts to Reform Cannabis Law in the Twenty-First Century. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 51(1): 73-91.

Four Decades of Cannabis Criminals in Canada 1970-2010

by Elaine Hyshka

Erickson, P.G., & Hyshka, E. (2010). Four decades of cannabis criminals in Canada 1970-2010. Amsterdam Law Forum, 2(4), 14.

Turning failure into success: what does the case of Western Australia tell us about Canadian cannabis policy-making?

by Elaine Hyshka

Hyshka, E. (2009). Turning failure into success: What does the case of Western Australia tell us about Canadian cannabis policymaking? Policy Studies, 30(5): 513-531.

Cannabis and its derivatives: review of medical use. Leung L.

by Lawrence Leung

J Am Board Fam Med. 2011 Jul-Aug;24(4):452-62

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Use of cannabis is often an under-reported activity in our society. Despite legal... more Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Use of cannabis is often an under-reported activity in our society. Despite legal restriction, cannabis is often used to relieve chronic and neuropathic pain, and it carries psychotropic and physical adverse effects with a propensity for addiction. This article aims to update the current knowledge and evidence of using cannabis and its derivatives with a view to the sociolegal context and perspectives for future research.
METHODS:
Cannabis use can be traced back to ancient cultures and still continues in our present society despite legal curtailment. The active ingredient, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, accounts for both the physical and psychotropic effects of cannabis. Though clinical trials demonstrate benefits in alleviating chronic and neuropathic pain, there is also significant potential physical and psychotropic side-effects of cannabis. Recent laboratory data highlight synergistic interactions between cannabinoid and opioid receptors, with potential reduction of drug-seeking behavior and opiate sparing effects. Legal rulings also have changed in certain American states, which may lead to wider use of cannabis among eligible persons.
CONCLUSIONS:
Family physicians need to be cognizant of such changing landscapes with a practical knowledge on the pros and cons of medical marijuana, the legal implications of its use, and possible developments in the future.

Variation in the gene coding for the M5 Muscarinic receptor (CHRM5) influences cigarette dose but is not associated with dependence to drugs of addiction: …

by Richard Anney

Anney RJ, Lotfi-Miri M, Olsson CA, Reid SC, Hemphill SA, Patton GC. Variation in the gene coding for the M5 muscarinic receptor (CHRM5) influences cigarette dose but is not associated with dependence to drugs of addiction: evidence from a prospective population based cohort study of young adults. BMC Genet. 2007 Jul 3;8:46. PubMed PMID: 17608938; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1978498.

The Usual Suspects: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use in 15-To 16-Year-Old School Pupils--Prevalence, Feelings and Perceived Health Risks.

by Jon Lamb

Alastair Roy, Christopher Wibberley and Jon Lamb 2005, Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, Vol. 12, No. 4 , Pages 305-315

This paper presents the findings of a five-year study of year-11 pupils (15–16 years old), based on a sample drawn... more This paper presents the findings of a five-year study of year-11 pupils (15–16 years old), based on a sample drawn from seven schools in the North West of England. It examines: use, feelings about close friend's use and perceptions of the health-related risks of specific drugs. The findings conform with those examining other similar populations, in identifying that ‘The Usual Suspects', alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the predominant drugs used by young people at 15–16. The reported use of alcohol and tobacco has remained consistent throughout the course of the study. However, beliefs about the health risks of these drugs have altered over the five-year period. The picture for cannabis has changed in terms of use and feelings about use; pointing to a continued process of normalization for this drug. The paper places the findings in the context of other recent studies; the specific value of the current study arises from the use of pupils from the same schools on a year on year basis (giving a total sample of 4059).

Cannabis Use and Memory Brain Function in Adolescent Boys: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

by Maartje Luijten

Reefer Madness: Cannabis, the Individual, and Public Policy

by Tuomas Tahko

In Dale Jaquette (ed.) Cannabis: What Were We Just Talking About? (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), pp. 149–161.

This paper is a survey of the positive and negative aspects of cannabis use from the point of view of the individual... more This paper is a survey of the positive and negative aspects of cannabis use from the point of view of the individual on the one hand and from the point of view of the society on the other hand. Health, social, and political motives are all discussed, and the best method of harm reduction is analysed. The upshot is that zero tolerance policy is obsolete, and that most individuals would be better off using cannabis rather than other drugs.

If cannabis caused schizophrenia—how many cannabis users may need to be prevented in order to prevent one case of schizophrenia? England and Wales …

by James Kirkbride

Cannabis and Schizophrenia: Model Projections of the Impact of the Rise In Cannabis Use on Historical and Future Trends In Schizophrenia In England and Wales

by James Kirkbride

The grassy knoll... and an elephant.

by Liz Temple

Temple EC, Brown RF, Hine DW.
Addiction. 2011 Feb;106(2):251-2.

The 'grass ceiling': limitations in the literature hinder our understanding of cannabis use and its consequences

by Liz Temple

Temple EC, Brown RF, Hine DW.
Addiction. 2011 Feb;106(2):238-44.

AIM: To illustrate how limitations in the cannabis literature undermine our ability to understand cannabis-related... more AIM: To illustrate how limitations in the cannabis literature undermine our ability to understand cannabis-related harms and problems experienced by users and identify users at increased risk of experiencing adverse outcomes of use.

METHOD AND RESULTS: Limitations have been organized into three overarching themes. The first relates to the classification systems employed by researchers to categorize cannabis users, their cannabis use and the assumptions on which these systems are based. The second theme encompasses methodological and reporting issues, including differences between studies, inadequate statistical control of potential confounders, the under-reporting of effect sizes and the lack of consideration of clinical significance. The final theme covers differing approaches to studying cannabis use, including recruitment methods. Limitations related to the nature of the data collected by researchers are discussed throughout, with a focus on how they affect our understanding of cannabis use and users.

CONCLUSIONS: These limitations must be addressed to facilitate the development of effective and appropriately targeted evidence-based public health campaigns, treatment programmes and preventative, early intervention and harm minimization strategies, and to inform cannabis-related policy and legislation.