title: The perceived health risks of cannabis use in an Australian household survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perceived risks of cannabis use have rarely been researched in Australia. This paper reports on the beliefs about the adverse effects of cannabis use on health, social well-being, driving, mental health and changes in cannabis over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey of 918 Australian adults was conducted as part of a quarterly omnibus self-report survey of an established panel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents believed that cannabis use can cause health and social problems, can adversely affect a person's ability to drive a car, can be addictive, and can lead to use of other illicit drugs. They were uncertain as to whether cannabis can cause schizophrenia and depression, and whether cannabis had become more potent over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention efforts should focus on educating the Australian people about the nature of cannabis-related harms.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. b.calabria@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Calabria
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slade
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Copeland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002188:Cannabis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult