Highlights: key publications and cannabis-related resources
A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences
(Monographs series, 2008) The EMCDDA’s two volume cannabis monograph addresses one basic question. How can I find quality information on cannabis, amid all the bias and opinion? The first volume centres on political, legislative, commercial and social developments relating to cannabis. The second volume is targeted at drugs professionals working in the fields of treatment, prevention and healthcare. Go to publication »
Cannabis drug profile
(Online publication, updated yearly) The cannabis drug profile provides an objective and scientifically sound description of cannabis and is available online in German, English and French. The profile provides an overview of information about cannabis including the chemistry, pharmacology, synthesis, physical form, and mode of use, as well as a bibliography and suggestions for further reading. Go to publication »
Annual report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe
The report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe presents the EMCDDA's yearly overview of the drug phenomenon. Each year an overview of the situation with respect to cannabis is present. Issues specific to cannabis covered include supply and availability, prevalence and patterns of use, and treatment, as well as other topics of interest. Go to publication »
An overview of cannabis potency in Europe
(Insights series, 2004) With the aim of establishing a scientific basis on which to advise policymakers and practitioners in the drugs field regarding concerns related to cannabis potency, the EMCDDA commissioned an investigation in Europe. The results of this study are presented in this publication. Go to publication »
Prevalence and patterns of cannabis use
Prevalence and patterns of cannabis use — most recent synthesis
Each year, the Cannabis chapter of the EMCDDA's annual report (see 'Highlights' above) provides a synthesis of the most recent available data on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among the general populations, youth and school populations. Go to cannabis prevalence and patterns of use »
Statistics on prevalence of cannabis use among the general population
The 'general population surveys' data set in the Statistical bulletin provides the most recent available data on prevalence of drug use, including cannabis, in the general population by age group (15–64, 15–34, and 15–24) including lifetime experience, recent use, current use and frequency of use. Go to general population surveys data »
Statistics on prevalence of cannabis use among youth and the schools population
The 'youth and the schools population' data set in the Statistical bulletin provides the most recent available data on prevalence of drug use, including cannabis, in the youth and schools population. Go to youth and schools population survey data »
Prevalence of intensive use and dependence
Statistics on prevalence of intensive cannabis use
The 'general population surveys' data set in the Statistical bulletin provides information on frequent cannabis use (frequency of use in the last 30 days). Go to general population surveys data »
Measuring cannabis-related problems and dependence at the population level
Measuring the proportion of problematic or dependent cannabis users from among the wider cannabis-use base is complex. A focus on this issue is given in 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights): Measuring cannabis-related problems and dependence at the population level »
Treatment demand for cannabis use
Statistics on treatment demand
The 'treatment demand indicator' data set in the Statistical bulletin provides the most recent available data on treatment demand, including treatment demand for cannabis use (primary drug) Go to treatment demand indicator data »
Treatment demand in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on treatment and cannabis:
Health consequences of cannabis use
Health effects in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on health and safety issues associated with cannabis:
- Cannabis use and physical and mental health
- The public health significance of cannabis in the spectrum of psychoactive substances
- Assessing the population health impact of cannabis use
- Cannabis use and driving: implications for public health and transport policy
Adverse health effects of cannabis use
The 2010 EMCDDA annual report (see 'Highlights above') presented a brief overview of the adverse health effects of cannabis use. For more information, see adverse health effects of cannabis use »
Prevention and cannabis
Best practice for prevention
Though there are no generally specific prevention interventions for cannabis, the prevention module of the best practice portal examines the current evidence base for different types of prevention intervention. See more in the prevention module of the Best practice portal »
Prevention in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on prevention and cannabis:
- Cannabis prevention in the EU
- Moving towards evidence-based practice: school-based prevention of substance use in the USA
- Risk factors for cannabis use
Examples of cannabis prevention programmes in Europe
The Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Action (EDDRA) provides details on a wide range of prevention interventions across Europe (as well as types of interventions), including some which specifically target cannabis. Access EDDRA »
Treatment of cannabis use: best practice and provision
Best practice for treatment
The treatment module of the 'Best practice portal' examines the current evidence base for the treatment of cannabis users. See treatment options for cannabis users in the Best practice portal »
Treatment provision — synthesis of data
An overview of treatment provision in Europe, with some cannabis-specific information can be found in the following resources:
Treatment provision and best practics in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on treatment provision and best practice for treatment of cannabis use:
- Treating cannabis use disorders: perspectives and best practices
- Cannabis treatment in Europe: a survey of services
Examples of cannabis treatment programmes in Europe
The Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Action (EDDRA) provides details on a wide range of treatment interventions across Europe (as well as types of interventions), including some which specifically target cannabis. Access EDDRA »
Meeting: European exchange on the policies and practices in the treatment of cannabis-related problems
In January 2011 the EMCDDA organised a meeting on policies and practices in the treatment of cannabis-related problems in Europe. More information, including presentations »
Internet-based treatment
(Insights, 2009) This review aims to provides insights into the state-of-the-art of Internet-based drug treatment interventions with a particular focus in Internet-based interventions developed in the EU for treating cannabis use disorders. Internet-based treatment »
Harm reduction for cannabis users
Best practice for harm reduction in cannabis users
The best practice portal examines the current evidence base for harm reduction interventions for smoking and inhaling drug use. See more in 'harm reduction interventions for smoking and inhaling drug use' in the Best practice portal »
Harm reduction in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapter below from 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focuses on harm reduction for cannabis users:
Harm reduction in 'Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges'
The chapter below from 'Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges' (Monographs, 2010), focuses on harm reduction for cannabis users:
Supply, production, markets and supply reduction activities
Supply and productions issues in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on cannabis supply, availability and production issues:
- Global cannabis cultivation and trafficking
- Monitoring cannabis availability in Europe: issues, trends and challenges
- Multinational export–import ventures: Moroccan hashish into Europe through Spain
- An analysis of the significance of supply and market factors for variations in European cannabis use
Cannabis supply and drug law enforcement
(Chapter 2, 2010 Annual report) The section 'Drug law enforcement' in Chapter 2 of the 2010 Annual report (see 'Highlights' above), has a particular focus on the supply aspects of commercial cannabis production. View online »
Upcoming publication: Cannabis production and markets in Europe
(Insights, 2011) A new ‘Insight’ on cannabis production and markets will be published by the EMCDDA in 2011. The report will focus on the supply of cannabis products in European countries and examine the type of products available, their origins, their respective market shares and other issues related to distribution and market structures. Cannabis cultivation within European borders, which has become more visible in recent years, will receive special attention.
Statistics on price, purity/potency and seizures
The Statistical bulletin is published yearly by the EMCDDA and provides access to the most recent statistical data relating to the drugs situation in Europe. Information on price, purity/potency and seizures data for cannabis can be found in the following data sets.
Statistics on drug law offences
The Statistical bulletin is published yearly by the EMCDDA and provides access to the most recent statistical data relating to the drugs situation in Europe. Information on drug law offences for cannabis can be found in the following data set:
Cannabis potency
Potency chapter in 'A cannabis reader'
The following chapter from 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focuses on cannabis potency:
An overview of cannabis potency in Europe
(Insights series, 2004) With the aim of establishing a scientific basis on which to advise policymakers and practitioners in the drugs field regarding concerns related to cannabis potency, the EMCDDA commissioned an investigation in Europe. The results of this study are presented in this publication. Go to publication »
Statistics on cannabis potency
The Statistical bulletin is published yearly by the EMCDDA and provides access to the most recent statistical data relating to the drugs situation in Europe. Information on cannabis potency can be found in the following data set:
Cannabis control, cannabis policy and law
Policies, legislation and control strategies issues in 'A cannabis reader'
The chapters below of 'A cannabis reader' (see 'Highlights' above), focus on cannabis-related policies, legislation and control strategies issues:
- Cannabis control in Europe
- In thinking about cannabis policy, what can be learned from alcohol and tobacco?
- An open front door: the coffee shop phenomenon in the Netherlands
- Cannabis policy: tightening the ties in Denmark
Personal possession of cannabis
(Legal topic overviews, online) The legal status of cannabis for personal use is one of the most controversial policy issues in the European Union. Although cannabis is a classified narcotic drug placed under control by the United Nations and by all EU Member States, the measures adopted to control it at national level vary considerably. This legal 'topic overview' answers the following questions:
- Is cannabis equal to other substances or not?
- When are cannabis-related offences prosecuted?
Read the topic overview on the personal possession of cannabis »
Drug offences: sentencing and other outcomes
(Selected issues, 2009) The sentences that offenders receive for drug law violations (including cannabis-related) across the European Union are examined for the first time in this ‘Selected issue’. By analysing the most recent year’s statistics, the report attempts to answer the question: What is the most likely outcome for an offender after being stopped by police for a drug law offence of use or personal possession, or supply or trafficking? Access 'Drug offences: sentencing and other outcomes' »
Statistics on drug law offences
The Statistical bulletin is published yearly by the EMCDDA and provides access to the most recent statistical data relating to the drugs situation in Europe. Information on drug law offences for cannabis can be found in the following data set:
Country data
Statistics
The Statistical bulletin provides detailed country-specific prevalence and patterns of use data. However the links below provide quick access to data and information at a country level (including cannabis prevalence data). Access the Statistical bulletin »
Country overviews
Country overviews provide structured synopsis of the trends and characteristics of national drug problems. They consist of a summary of the national drug situation, key statistics at a glance and a barometer showing the drug use prevalence position of each country. They are updated annually. Access Country overviews »
National reports
Commissioned each year by the EMCCDA and produced by the national focal points of the Reitox network, the National reports draw an overall picture of the drug phenomenon at national level in each EU Member state. These data are key information to the EMCCDA and are an important resource, among others for the compilation of its Annual report. See all National reports »
