Public health implications of legalising the production and sale of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use

Wayne Hall; Daniel Stjepanović; Jonathan Caulkins; Michael Lynskey; Janni Leung; Gabrielle Campbell; Louisa Degenhardt

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31789-1

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Public health implications of legalising the production and sale of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Public health implications of legalising the production and sale of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use

Wayne Hall, Daniel Stjepanović, Jonathan Caulkins, Michael Lynskey, Janni Leung, Gabrielle Campbell and Louisa Degenhardt

The Lancet, Vol.394(10208), pp.1580-1590

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31789-1

PMID: 31657733

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https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31789-1View

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Abstract

Commerce - economics

Medical Marijuana - administration & dosage

Legislation, Drug - economics

Cannabis

Marijuana Use - adverse effects

Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology

Marijuana Use - epidemiology

Medical Marijuana - adverse effects

Public Health - legislation & jurisprudence

Marijuana Use - legislation & jurisprudence

We assess the current and describe possible future public health impacts of the legalisation of cannabis production, sale, and use in the Americas. First, we describe global patterns of cannabis use and their most probable adverse health effects. Second, we summarise evidence regarding the effectiveness of cannabinoids for medicinal use and describe approaches that have been used to regulate the use of medicinal cannabis and how these approaches might have affected medicinal and recreational use and harms (eg, road crashes). Third, we describe how jurisdictions that have legalised recreational use have regulated production and sale of cannabis. Fourth, we evaluate the effects of cannabis legalisation on cannabis use and harms and on the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Fifth, we use alcohol and tobacco policy examples to identify possible long-term public health effects of cannabis legalisation. Finally, we outline policy approaches that could minimise harms to public health arising from the legalisation of a commercial cannabis industry.

Details

Title: Public health implications of legalising the production and sale of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use
Authors: Wayne Hall (Author) - University of Queensland
Daniel Stjepanović (Author) - University of Queensland
Jonathan Caulkins (Author) - Carnegie Mellon University
Michael Lynskey (Author) - King's College London
Janni Leung (Author) - University of Queensland
Gabrielle Campbell (Author) - UNSW Australia
Louisa Degenhardt (Author) - UNSW Australia
Publication details: The Lancet, Vol.394(10208), pp.1580-1590
Publisher: The Lancet Publishing Group
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31789-1
ISSN: 1474-547X
PMID: 31657733
Organisation Unit: School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99473407302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry

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