As a result of participating in this lecture learners should have a working knowledge of the following topics, essential to competency in addiction medicine and identify areas where more study may be needed:

1. Epidemiology of cannabis use disorders, including data on special populations and trends
2. End effects on neurons and brain circuits and differences based on demographic factors (i.e., gender and age)
3. End effects on other organs
4. Discussion of cannabis use/abuse/dependence and psychiatric comorbidities, including a discussion of genetic vulnerability for the above, where relevant
5. Discussion of acute and protracted withdrawal from cannabis
6. Implications of the above on treatment and recovery
7. Relationship with other drugs of abuse (i.e., the "gateway" drug concept and the role of cannabis in patients attempting long-term recovery)
8. Modes of delivery of cannabis
9. Brief discussion of policy issues related to cannabis use.