Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2006; all rights reserved.
Commentary |
Commentary: Understanding pathways to cannabis use and from use to harm
1 Department of Primary Care and General Practice, Primary Care Clinical Sciences and Learning Centre Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
2 Department of Social Medicine, Canynge Hall, University of Bristol, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK
* Corresponding author. E-mail: j.a.macleod@bham.ac.uk
| The first 10% of the full text of this article appears below. |
The question of why people use cannabis, and the potential risks associated with this use, has long been a subject of study for policy-makers, the public, and population scientists. Many putative explanations for cannabis use have emerged, encompassing host, environment, and agent. Risk factors identified include genes, psychological and behavioural problems, the tendency to seek sensations or take risks, and prior use of ‘gateway’ drugs. Alternative possible explanations have their basis in parental behaviour and other aspects of families and friendships, still more are based on wider socio-environmental adversity and material deprivation.1–8 Social trends such as the normalization of illicit drug use and the increased availability of most drugs may also have contributed.9 Whatever the reasons, cannabis use is now common with 
20% of young adults in both the UK and the US using the drug at least monthly.10,11 Though the probable