The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse

Effects of Long-Term Cannabis Use

Patterns of marihuana use in Western countries, particularly the United States are primarily long term (two t o 10 years). Additionally, Western investigators have been able to observe those who use marihuana at most, daily and more often, moderately or intermittently. Consequently, observed effects are rare. Knowledge is incomplete but certain trends appear to be emerging in regard to American usage patterns.

The relevance of Eastern reports of heavy hashish use is uncertain. Nutrition, disease prevalence and quality of medical care impose limits on transferring Eastern observations to Western conditions of use.