Responding to growing global stimulant use: challenges and opportunities

In this paper, we first summarise the global patterns of nonmedical cannabis use, the probable adverse health effects, and interventions for reducing cannabis-related harm. Second, we review evidence on the effectiveness and safety of cannabinoids for medical use and describe different regulatory schemes for medical cannabis. Third, we describe the approaches used to regulate the production and sale of cannabis in US states that have legalised and in Uruguay and Canada. Fourth, we advance plausible conjectures that cannabis legalisation may have on the prevalence of cannabis use and harms. Fifth, we discuss possible future trends in cannabis products, patterns of use and systems of regulation.