title: Cannabis for therapeutic purposes and public health and safety: a systematic and critical review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes (CTP) has recently become legal in many places. These policy and legal modifications may be related to changes in cannabis perceptions, availability and use and in the way cannabis is grown and sold. This may in turn have effects on public health and safety. To better understand the potential effects of CTP legalization on public health and safety, the current paper synthesizes and critically discusses the relevant literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight studies were identified by a comprehensive search strategy, and their characteristics and main findings were systematically reviewed according to the following content themes: CTP and illegal cannabis use; CTP and other public health issues; CTP, crime and neighbourhood disadvantage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research field is currently limited by a lack of theoretical and methodological rigorous studies. The review shows that the most prevalent theme of investigation so far has been the relation between CTP and illegal cannabis use. In addition, the literature review shows that there is an absence of evidence to support many common concerns related to detrimental public health and safety effects of CTP legalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although lack of evidence provides some reassurance that CTP legalization may not have posed a substantial threat to public health and safety, this conclusion needs to be examined in light of the limitations of studies conducted so far. Furthermore, as CTP policy continues to evolve, including incorporation of greater commercialization, it is possible that the full effects of CTP legalization have yet to take place. Ensuring study quality will allow future research to better investigate the complex role that CTP plays in relation to society at large, and public health and safety in particular.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Eshkol Tower, Room 705, Mt. Carmel, 3190501 Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: sznitman@research.haifa.ac.il.
authors.forename: Sharon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sznitman
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Eshkol Tower, Room 705, Mt. Carmel, 3190501 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Yuval
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zolotov
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D064086:Medical Marijuana
keywords: Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes; Medical cannabis; Public health and safety; Systematic review