Epidemiology of Cannabis Use Disorder

Abstract

Cannabis use continues to be a public health concern and has become a major clinical and nonclinical research construct in numerous fields for numerous reasons. First, the slight alterations in the criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD) diagnosis required validation and prevalence statistics. Second, the shift in social perceptions of cannabis use and its legalization by various states have led to significant increases in cannabis use, abuse, and individuals meeting the criteria for CUD. Additionally, understanding the psychological and neural mechanisms associated with CUD will allow for innovative and tailored intervention and treatment methods for those suffering from the condition. This chapter provides a brief overview of the central, peripheral, and autonomic processes associated with CUD. It then considers the current treatments for CUD that are informed by pharmacological and epidemiological information. Finally, the authors contrast CUD with cardiovascular dysfunction, providing inferences for CUD as a potential contributor to the leading cause of death: cardiovascular disease.