A modern take on the health effects of cannabis use: The future of cannabis research.

Cannabis use has increased greatly in the US since legalization occurred in many states, particularly by young adults ages 18-26. Recent survey data suggest that many young adults see smoking cannabis as carrying a low health risk, especially when compared to drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco. However, there is laboratory research and human health data suggesting that cannabis smoke has the potential to cause harm to users. A positive correlation between cannabis smoking and psychotic episodes has been established, as well as with respiratory symptoms such as chronic bronchitis. Research suggests that young adults are at particular risk for cognitive effects, and that cessation can improve health outcomes. Although, it is not possible to establish a definitive correlation between cannabis smoking and severe health outcomes such as cancer or other chronic diseases due to insufficient existing data and the technical limitations of the study designs. The gap in knowledge on cannabis health effects can be explained by various factors, including but not limited to insufficient quantities of clinical data, flawed study design, failure to account for the various methods of cannabis smoking, methods of cannabis use that do not involve smoking, dual use of tobacco or other substances by study participants, and an incomplete understanding of the pharmacology of cannabis and its non-psychoactive compounds. A complete knowledge of potential benefits of cannabis use is equally lacking; preliminary evidence suggests cannabis may possess anti-inflammatory properties, though these benefits have not yet been fully characterized or supported by sufficient clinical or basic research. While the Food and Drug Association (FDA) has approved the use of several cannabis-derived compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD) to treat select medical conditions, the use of cannabis itself has not received regulatory approval for treating any medical conditions. Due to the incomplete knowledge of any potential health effects of cannabis use, caution is advised to those considering the use of cannabis, particularly young adults.