[Epidemiology of cannabis use].

Cannabis is the most consumed illicit drug in France. Its use concerns especially men, in all social groups. It is mainly consumed by young adults and teenagers. Over the last ten years the consumption of cannabis strongly increased amongst French young people, the rise has been even stronger for regular use. Prevalence use in France has now reached the highest European levels. Cannabis use can lead to a treatment demand and a research will soon allow to screen problematic users in general population in France. The part of the cannabis in the activity of specialised centres for drug addicts progresses. Due to a lack of indicators, the sanitary impact is not well-informed; nevertheless there are presumptions that cannabis is involved in road accidents, cancers and psychiatric pathologies. The cannabis constitutes the main part of the arrests for drug use.