Crack-cocaine use is prevalent in numerous countries, yet concentrated primarily - largely within urban contexts - in the Northern and Southern regions of the Americas. It is associated with a variety of behavioral, physical and mental health and social problems which gravely affect users and their environments. Few evidence-based treatments for
crack-cocaine use exist and are available to users in the reality of
street drug use. Numerous pharmacological treatments have been investigated but with largely disappointing results. An important therapeutic potential for
crack-cocaine use may rest in
cannabinoids, which have recently seen a general resurgence for varied possible therapeutic usages for different neurological diseases. Distinct potential therapeutic benefits for
crack-cocaine use and common related adverse symptoms may come specifically from
cannabidiol (CBD) - one of the numerous
cannabinoid components found in cannabis - with its demonstrated
anxiolytic, anti-psychotic, anti-
convulsant effects and potential benefits for sleep and appetite problems. The possible therapeutic prospects of
cannabinoids are corroborated by observational studies from different contexts documenting
crack-cocaine users' '
self-medication' efforts towards coping with
crack-cocaine-related problems, including withdrawal and craving, impulsivity and
paranoia.
Cannabinoid therapeutics offer further benefits of being available in multiple formulations, are low in adverse risk potential, and may easily be offered in community-based settings which may add to their feasibility as interventions for - predominantly marginalized -
crack-cocaine user populations. Supported by the dearth of current therapeutic options for
crack-cocaine use, we are advocating for the implementation of a rigorous research program investigating the potential therapeutic benefits of
cannabinoids for
crack-cocaine use. Given the high prevalence of this grave
substance use problem in the Americas, opportunities for such research should urgently be created and facilitated there.