A review of the literature on marijuana and interpersonal violence

Marijuana use and interpersonal violence are major public health problems. The present review examines the available empirical and theoretical literature on the relationship between marijuana and violence, including past theoretical models, the link between marijuana use and interpersonal violence (including intimate partner violence), and the relationship between marijuana withdrawal and violence. While results from laboratory-based studies are inconclusive, results of cross-sectional and longitudinal research provide support for an association between marijuana use/withdrawal and various types of violence. Given the lack of empirical support for existing models, a new biopsychosocial model of the marijuana-violence relationship is proposed. Examining methods to test this model and application of current findings to treatment are discussed.