Cannabis concerns: increased potency, availability and synthetic analogues.

Abstract

Over the past 10 to 15 years, the evidence concerning the consequences of cannabis smoking has detailed a number of negative health outcomes. Over the same period, a wide variety of alternative cannabis products (synthetic cannabis and cannabis extracts) have been developed and consumed for a variety of purposes. Whilst the impact of cannabis smoking on behavior in the short-term, and the psychiatric, behavioral, physiological effects of extended usage of cannabis in the longer term have been observed to produce a number of societally and individually concerning outcomes; consumption of cannabis recreationally, continues. Despite cannabis being considered a relatively innocuous recreational drug, current evidence suggests it can adversely impact mental health. Sustained use of cannabis has been shown to significantly increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders (Szoke et al. 2014). Possibly more concerning, the legalization of cannabis in some countries, the approval of cannabis products for usage to treat symptoms associated with medical conditions, and the development of synthetic cannabinoid products provides increased avenues for people to expose themselves to cannabis and its psychoactive effects.