The toxicology of cannabis and cannabis prohibition.
Franjo Grotenhermen
Chemistry & Biodiversity August 2007 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200790151 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The authors conclude that cannabis produces acute psychological, cognitive, and cardiovascular effects and that chronic use may induce psychosis and dependence, with cognitive effects largely reversible after abstinence except possibly in very heavy users. They argue that prohibition has little influence on use prevalence while harming individuals and society, making criminal penalties against patients difficult to justify. |
Abstract
The acute side effects caused by cannabis use are mainly related to psyche and cognition, and to circulation. Euphoria, anxiety, changes in sensory perception, impairment of memory and psychomotor performance are common effects after a dose is taken that exceeds an individually variable threshold. Cannabis consumption may increase heart rate and change blood pressure, which may have serious consequences in people with heart disease. Effects of chronic use may be induction of psychosis and development of dependency to the drug. Effects on cognitive abilities seem to be reversible after abstinence, except possibly in very heavy users. Cannabis exposure in utero may have negative consequences on brain development with subtle impairment of cognitive abilities in later life. Consequences of cannabis smoking may be similar to those of tobacco smoking and should be avoided. Use by young people has more detrimental effects than use by adults. There appear to be promising therapeutic uses of cannabis for a range of indications. Use of moderate doses in a therapeutic context is usually not associated with severe side effects. Current prohibition on cannabis use may also have harmful side effects for the individual and the society, while having little influence on prevalence of use. Harm is greatest for seriously ill people who may benefit from a treatment with cannabis. This makes it difficult to justify criminal penalties against patients.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Anxiety, depression-like behaviors and biochemistry disorders induced by cannabis extract in female mice Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences September 1, 2021
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 15, 2019
- Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles November 15, 2016
Cites 13
- Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence The British Journal of Psychiatry January 30, 2004
- Antidepressant-like activity and modulation of brain monoaminergic transmission by blockade of anandamide hydrolysis Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 13, 2005
- Psychiatric effects of cannabis The British Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2001
- What are the Policy Implications of the Evidence on Cannabis and Psychosis? The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Is Cannabis Use a Contributory Cause of Psychosis? The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry August 1, 2006
and 8 more in the library