Citation

Carliner H, Brown QL, Sarvet AL, Hasin DS. Prev. Med. 2017; 104: 13-23.

Affiliation

Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, United States; Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States. Electronic address: dsh2@cumc.columbia.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.07.008

PMID

28705601

Abstract

Cannabis is widely used among adolescents and adults. In the U.S., marijuana laws have been changing, and Americans increasingly favor legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational uses. While some can use cannabis without harm, others experience adverse consequences. The objective of this review is to summarize information on the legal status of cannabis, perceptions regarding cannabis, prevalence and time trends in use and related adverse consequences, and evidence on the relationship of state medical (MML) and recreational (RML) marijuana laws to use and attitudes. Twenty-nine states now have MMLs, and eight of these have RMLs. Since the early 2000s, adults and adolescent perception of cannabis use as risky has decreased. Over the same time, the prevalence of adolescent cannabis use has changed little. However, adult cannabis use, disorders, and related consequences have increased. Multiple nationally representative studies indicate that MMLs have had little effect on cannabis use among adolescents. However, while MML effects have been less studied in adults, available evidence suggests that MML increase use and cannabis use disorders in adults. While data are not yet available to evaluate the effect of RMLs, they are likely to lower price, increase availability, and thereby increase cannabis use. More permissive marijuana laws may accomplish social justice aims (e.g., reduce racial disparities in law enforcement) and generate tax revenues. However, such laws may increase cannabis-related adverse health and psychosocial consequences by increasing the population of users. Dissemination of balanced information about the potential health harms of cannabis use is needed.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Cannabis; Epidemiology; Marijuana; Medical marijuana; National surveys