Use of cannabis has damaging effects on the brain, heart, and endocrine functions. The brain functions are altered mainly through acetylcholine turnover in the hyppocampus region. The heart workload is increased together with increased plasma volume and postural hypotension, and the endocrine functions of both males and females are adversely affected. Key topics discussed are analysis and detection of cannabinoids and their metabolites in biological fluids for establishing pharmacokinetic parameters and for forensic purposes. However, certain clinical utility for cannabinoids in treatment of glaucoma, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, pain and depression are valuable. 9 references. (Author abstract modified)