Cannabis, the most widely used illicit drug in Australia, is not as harmful (in terms of individual health and public health costs) as tobacco or alcohol abuse. However, there is emerging evidence linking it to the development of dependence syndromes and mental illness, and legitimate concerns about its role in the development of more harmful illicit drug use.

The paper presents the most recent information about cannabis use and supply in Australia, as well as the nature of the potential harms associated with cannabis--those harms and social/economic costs associated with cannabis use, and also those associated with the acquisition and legislative control of cannabis.