Prevalence and correlates of cannabis use in developed and developing countries

Hall, Wayne^a; Degenhardt, Louisa^b

^aSchool of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland

^bNational Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Correspondence to Wayne Hall, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia Tel: +61 7 3365 5330; e-mail:[email protected]

Current Opinion in Psychiatry20(4):p 393-397, July 2007. |DOI:10.1097/YCO.0b013e32812144cc

Abstract

Purpose of review

The aim of this article is to review recent research on the prevalence, antecedents and correlates of cannabis use in young adults in developed and developing countries.

Recent findings

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug globally and its use appears to be increasing in developed and developing countries. In developed countries rebelliousness, antisocial behaviour, poor school performance, and affiliation with drug-using peers are risk factors for early and regular cannabis use. Similar antecedents are now being reported in developing countries. Dependence is an underappreciated risk of cannabis that affects one in six to seven adolescents who use cannabis in developed countries. Adolescent cannabis dependence is correlated with an increased risk of using other illicit drugs, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of psychosis. The plausibility of cannabis playing a contributory causal role has increased for symptoms of psychosis in longitudinal studies but remains contentious. In the case of other illicit drug use and mood disorders common causal explanations remain difficult to exclude.

Summary

Early and regular cannabis use in adolescence predicts an increased risk of cannabis dependence which in turn predicts an increased risk of using other illicit drugs, and reporting symptoms of mood and psychotic disorders.