A Review of Meta-Analyses of Prevention Strategies for Problematic Cannabis Use

Purpose of Review This narrative review summarizes research-to-date on strategies to prevent problematic cannabis use. Recent Findings Ten meta-analytic reviews of cannabis use prevention strategies published after 2010 were identified for this review. The meta-analytic reviews were based on studies evaluating the effectiveness of school-based programs, online/digital interventions, mass-media approaches, culturally specific interventions, and brief interventions. Results indicate that school-based programs, online/digital interventions, and culturally specific interventions may help to prevent or reduce cannabis use, though effect sizes were modest. Brief interventions were found to have no effect on cannabis use frequency, but had small beneficial effects on cannabis use disorder, consequences, and abstinence. Mass media approaches were not effective in preventing cannabis use. Summary School-based programs, online/digital interventions, culturally specific interventions, and brief interventions can have modest effects on problematic cannabis use. Research is needed to evaluate environmental strategies to prevent problematic cannabis use at the population level.