Global patterns of domestic cannabis cultivation: sample characteristics and patterns of growing across eleven countries.

Background: This article aims to provide an overview of: demographic characteristics; experiences with growing cannabis; methods and scale of growing operations; reasons for growing; personal use of cannabis and other drugs; participation in cannabis and other drug markets; contacts with the criminal justice system for respondents to an online survey about cannabis cultivation drawn from eleven countries (N=6530). Important similarities and differences between the national samples recruited will be discussed.

Methods: This paper utilizes data from the online web survey of predominantly 'small-scale' cannabis cultivators in eleven countries conducted by the Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium (GCCRC).

Lessons from conducting trans-national Internet-mediated participatory research with hidden populations of cannabis cultivators.

Background: Internet-mediated research methods are increasingly used to access hidden populations. The International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire (ICCQ) is an online survey designed to facilitate international comparisons into the relatively under-researched but increasingly significant phenomenon of domestic cannabis cultivation. The Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium has used the ICCQ to survey over 6000 cannabis cultivators across 11 countries.

Local politics and retail cannabis markets: the case of the Dutch coffeeshops.

Background: Cannabis coffeeshops are concentrated in specific areas in the Netherlands; close to 80% of Dutch municipalities have no coffeeshops. We investigated why such wide local differences exist.

Methods: Regression analyses were carried out on data regarding the number of coffeeshops per municipality, local council seat distribution and area demographic characteristics.

Differential responses to cannabis potency: a typology of users based on self-reported consumption behaviour.

Aims: To determine whether a classification of cannabis users into different types can help to clarify the relationship between cannabis potency and consumption behaviour, harmful physical effects and psychological dependency.

Methods: A field sample of 388 respondents was recruited who had smoked cannabis at least once in the past month. They were contacted and interviewed in 28 cannabis coffee shops located in five Dutch cities.