High-THC cannabis is reported to have become increasingly available, although the published evidence for this is scant (Hall and Swift, 2000; King et al., 2005). This may reflect an increased market for more potent cannabis amongst regular users and improved methods of growing high-potency cannabis. The health implications of this development are unclear. Those who use these high-potency products may increase their risks of developing respiratory disease or experiencing psychotic symptoms (Hall and Pacula, 2003). However, regular users may be able to titrate their dose and decrease the risks of respiratory disease, and naive users who experience adverse effects may be deterred from further cannabis use (Hall and Pacula, 2003). As yet, there is insufficient evidence to inform a conclusive view of the risks to health posed by high-potency cannabis (King et al., 2005).
Conclusion
Most cannabis users cease smoking cannabis by their late 20s or early 30s and the vast majority do not experience any adverse effects from their use. A minority continue their use into middle age, and such long-term heavy users have reported a range of negative health effects (Reilly et al., 1998; Gruber et al., 2003). However, the causal role of cannabis in the development of negative physical and mental health problems for some users remains uncertain and in need of further investigation. Recent research
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135 has provided more information on the involvement of cannabis in the development of psychiatric disorders such as depression and psychosis in vulnerable people, or bronchial problems resulting from cannabis smoke. But more research work is needed to address the precise role of cannabis in health-related problems and the broad research agenda for cannabis remains much the same as 30 years ago.
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