Cannabis Use and Dependence

ISBN-13: 9780521800242 / Angielski / Twarda / 2003 / 314 str.

Wayne Hall; Rosalie Liccardo Pacula

Opis

Exploring the relationship between health policy, public health and the law regarding the controversial use of cannabis, this study assesses the impact of illegality in drug use and compares it with the policies of the U.S., Europe and Australia as well as other developed societies. Current debates about "safe use" and "harm minimization" approaches are evaluated, as well as the experiences of differing prevention, treatment and education policies. Written by two leading drug advisors, the analysis contributes to an important field of research.

Spis treści

List of figures and tables; Foreword Peter Reuter; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; Section 1. Cannabis the Drug and How it is Used: 2. Cannabis the drug; 3. Patterns of use; Section 2. The Health Effects of Cannabis: 4. The acute effects of cannabis; 5. The cellular, immunological and reproductive effects of chronic cannabis use; 6. The cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal effects of chronic cannabis use; Section 3. The Psychological Effects of Chronic Cannabis Use: 7. Cannabis dependence; 8. The effects of cannabis use on cognitive functioning; 9. Cannabis use and psychotic disorders; Section 4. Effects on Adolescent Development: 10. Is cannabis a gateway drug?; 11. Adolescent psychosocial outcomes; Section 5. Harms and Benefits of Cannabis Use: 12. Comparing the health effects of cannabis with alcohol and tobacco; 13. The benefits of cannabis use; Section 6. The Effectiveness and Costs of Cannabis Prohibition: 14. The impact of prohibition on cannabis use; 15. The monetary cost of enforcing prohibition; 16. Other costs of cannabis prohibition; Section 7. Policy Alternatives: 17. Variations on prohibition; 18. Cannabis as a legal substance; 19. Summing up; Appendices; References; Index.