Reports of adverse events from recreational cannabis tripled in France between 2012 and 2017
Adverse event reports from recreational cannabis tripled in France over six years, with psychiatric effects (51.2%) most common and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome emerging as a new concern.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis adverse event reports tripled from 179 (2012) to 562 (2017), totaling 2,217 cases. Psychiatric effects were most common (51.2%), followed by neurological (15.6%), cardiac (7.8%), and gastrointestinal (7.7%). Dependence ranged from 10-20% of reports. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (87 cases) emerged from 2015. Seven deaths were reported.
Key Numbers
2,217 total cases; 76.4% male; 18-34 age group most common; 71.6% inhaled; 64.2% chronic use; dependence 10-20%; 87 hyperemesis cases; 34 unexpected AEs; 7 deaths
How They Did This
Analysis of adverse events from recreational cannabis use reported to the French Addictovigilance Network from 2012 to 2017, excluding CBD and synthetic cannabinoids.
Why This Research Matters
This surveillance data provides one of the more comprehensive pictures of cannabis adverse events from a national reporting system, documenting the full spectrum of harms including the emergence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
The Bigger Picture
The tripling of adverse event reports likely reflects both increasing cannabis use and better reporting. The emergence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome as a recognized condition illustrates how surveillance systems can identify new health concerns.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Voluntary reporting systems underestimate true adverse event rates. Increase in reports may partly reflect improved awareness and reporting rather than increased harm. Cannot determine causation from surveillance data alone.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is the increase in reports proportional to increased cannabis use or are adverse events becoming more common per user?
- ?How does the French adverse event profile compare to countries with legal cannabis?
- ?What is the true incidence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Adverse event reports tripled from 179 to 562 per year
- Evidence Grade:
- National surveillance data from a formal pharmacovigilance network over six years
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 using 2012-2017 French surveillance data. Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in France.
- Original Title:
- Adverse events of recreational cannabis use reported to the French addictovigilance network (2012-2017).
- Published In:
- British journal of clinical pharmacology, 87(10), 3925-3937 (2021)
- Authors:
- Bouquet, Emilie(2), Pain, Stéphanie(4), Eiden, Céline, Jouanjus, Emilie, Richard, Nathalie, Fauconneau, Bernard, Pérault-Pochat, Marie-Christine
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03020
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common adverse effects of cannabis?
In this French surveillance study, psychiatric effects were most common (51.2%), followed by neurological problems (15.6%), cardiac issues (7.8%), and gastrointestinal effects (7.7%). Dependence was reported in 10-20% of cases.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
A condition involving severe cyclic vomiting associated with chronic cannabis use. It emerged in the French reporting system from 2015, with 87 cases documented through 2017.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03020APA
Bouquet, Emilie; Pain, Stéphanie; Eiden, Céline; Jouanjus, Emilie; Richard, Nathalie; Fauconneau, Bernard; Pérault-Pochat, Marie-Christine. (2021). Adverse events of recreational cannabis use reported to the French addictovigilance network (2012-2017).. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 87(10), 3925-3937. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14812
MLA
Bouquet, Emilie, et al. "Adverse events of recreational cannabis use reported to the French addictovigilance network (2012-2017).." British journal of clinical pharmacology, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14812
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Adverse events of recreational cannabis use reported to the ..." RTHC-03020. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/bouquet-2021-adverse-events-of-recreational
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.