Public Health and Safety

Cannabis use disorders among people who use cannabis: Potential Risks

Read Time: <10 minutes

Date: November 5, 2020

The journal “Addictive Behaviors” (109, (2020), 106479, May 2020) released a study, “What is the prevalence and risk of cannabis use disorders among people who use cannabis? A systematic review and meta-analysis” by authors J. Leung (et.al.). The recent meta-analysis sought to examine the prevalence and risks of cannabis use disorders, cannabis abuse and cannabis dependency by a review of related published studies from 2009 – 2019. 

Some key points cited in the report include:

  • Cannabis users have a 20% risk of developing a cannabis use disorder
  • The risk increases if cannabis use is initiated early and used often
  • 1 in 3 people risk cannabis dependency if used weekly to near daily 
  • Those who use cannabis need to be informed about potential health risks
  • The potency (THC) of today’s cannabis is at a historically high levels