Chapter 8 - Recreational cannabis use: French perspective of adverse effects

Abstract

In Europe, France holds a particular position due to the high prevalence of recreational cannabis use in the general population for a long time. As in other countries, the tetrahydrocannabinol content considerably increased these past 10years. The rate of adverse events of recreational cannabis reported to the French Addictovigilance Network rose with a threefold increase between 2012 and 2017. Many adverse events (AEs) were shown, mainly affecting the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. Given the high prevalence of cannabis use in France, particularly among adolescents and young adults, and the description of unusual clinical presentations in this population, there is concern that serious AEs likely to be underdiagnosed occur. Recently, the pandemic COVID-19 induced modification of consumption practices. In addition, over the same period, emerged cannabis dealing adulterated with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. Both may aggravate the risk of AEs.