Exploring the relationship between health policy, public health and the law regarding the controversial use of cannabis, this study assesses the impact of illegality in drug use and compares it with the policies of the U.S., Europe and Australia as well as other developed societies. Current debates about "safe use" and "harm minimization" approaches are evaluated, as well as the experiences of differing prevention, treatment and education policies. Written by two leading drug advisors, the analysis contributes to an important field of research.

The use of cannabis in the late twentieth and this century is an area of medical and moral controversy. Despite its illegality, cannabis is the most widely used drug after alcohol and tobacco among young adults in the USA, Europe and Australia. This book explores the relationship between health policy, public health and the law regarding cannabis use. It assesses the impact of illegality in drug use and relates this to policy analysis in Australia, the UK, the US and other developed societies. It evaluates debates about 'safe use' and 'harm minimisation' approaches, as well as examining the experiences of different prevention, treatment and education policies. Written by two leading drug advisors Cannabis Use and Dependence makes a valuable addition to this important field of research.

Discussions about reducing the harms associated with drug use and antidrug policies are often politicized, infused with questionable data, and unproductive. This paper provides a nonpartisan primer on drug use and drug policy in the United States. It aims to bring those new to drug policy up to speed and provide ideas to researchers and potential research funders about how they could make strong contributions to the field.

Legalizing marijuana in California would lead to a major decline in the pretax price, but the price for consumers will depend heavily on taxes, the regulatory regime structure, and how taxes and regulations are enforced. The lower price and nonprice effects will increase consumption, but it is unclear by how much. There is much uncertainty about the effect on public budgets; even minor changes in assumptions lead to major differences in outcomes.