Cannabis remains the most widely used illegal substance in the USA and most other developed countries that regulate its use. Controversy regarding its addictive potential, health consequences, medical use, and legal status has proliferated since the early part of the twentieth century. Pro-cannabis groups have led an ongoing effort to decriminalize and legalize cannabis use, and many respected scientists and medical professionals have argued for legitimizing the medical use of cannabis. Anti-cannabis proponents raise concerns about the psychosocial, health, and psychiatric consequences associated with cannabis misuse and addiction. The fallout from both sides of the controversy has included: lax attitudes towards use of cannabis increasing the probability of use and misuse; failure of the public, scientists, and prevention/treatment specialists to consider cannabis a significant drug of abuse, leading to low rates of treatment seeking and inadequate effort and resources for development of effective treatment services; overly severe penal consequences for possession and use of cannabis; and impediment of science exploring the potential of cannabis and/or its active compounds for treatment of physical and psychiatric disorders.
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