Katrin Skala1, Thomas Trabi2, Martin Fuchs3, Ralf Gössler4, Christian-Wilhelm Haas-Stockmair5, Nicole Kriechbaumer6, Monika Leitner7, Nora Ortner3, Melanie Reiter3, Christian Müller8, Wolfgang Wladika9. 1. Univ. Klinik für Kinder und Jugendpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich. katrin.skala@meduniwien.ac.at. 2. Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, LKH Graz II, Graz, Österreich. 3. Univ. Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich. 4. Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Klinik Floridsdorf, Floridsdorf, Österreich. 5. Univ. Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Kepler Universiätsklinikum, Linz, Österreich. 6. Sucht- und Drogenkoordination Wien, Wien, Österreich. 7. Praxis für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Graz, Österreich. 8. Ambulatorium für Kinder- u. Jugendpsychiatrie, PSD Einsenstadt, Einsenstadt, Österreich. 9. Abteilung für Neurologie und Psychiatrie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cannabis is the illegal drug most frequently used by Minors in Austria. Due to the gradual decriminalization and legalization that has taken place in many European countries in recent years, the ÖGKJP would like to take a balanced and scientifically based stand on the complex issue of cannabis use and abuse among young people. METHODS: The authors searched the medline for current studies using searches tailored to each specific subtopic. Furthermore, recognized compendiums were quoted. RESULTS: While occasional recreational use of cannabis in adults with completed brain maturation and no risk profile for mental disorders is likely to be relatively harmless, early initiation of use with regular use and the increasingly available, highly potent cannabis varieties can lead to explicit and sometimes irreversible neurocognitive brain dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Legalisation of cannabis consumption for minors needs to be objected to due to the risks of the expected damage in the area of brain development. At the same time, however, it is important to establish sensible legal regulations in order to be able to adequately counteract the fact that over 30% of all European young people occasionally consume cannabis. We are also clearly recommending to not criminalize cannabis users and provide necessary support to vulnerable and addicted cannabis users.
BACKGROUND: Cannabis is the illegal drug most frequently used by Minors in Austria. Due to the gradual decriminalization and legalization that has taken place in many European countries in recent years, the ÖGKJP would like to take a balanced and scientifically based stand on the complex issue of cannabis use and abuse among young people. METHODS: The authors searched the medline for current studies using searches tailored to each specific subtopic. Furthermore, recognized compendiums were quoted. RESULTS: While occasional recreational use of cannabis in adults with completed brain maturation and no risk profile for mental disorders is likely to be relatively harmless, early initiation of use with regular use and the increasingly available, highly potent cannabis varieties can lead to explicit and sometimes irreversible neurocognitive brain dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Legalisation of cannabis consumption for minors needs to be objected to due to the risks of the expected damage in the area of brain development. At the same time, however, it is important to establish sensible legal regulations in order to be able to adequately counteract the fact that over 30% of all European young people occasionally consume cannabis. We are also clearly recommending to not criminalize cannabis users and provide necessary support to vulnerable and addicted cannabis users.
Authors: Christian D Schubart; Iris E C Sommer; Willemijn A van Gastel; Rogier L Goetgebuer; René S Kahn; Marco P M Boks Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2011-05-17 Impact factor: 4.939