Table 1 The List of Definitions for Lower-Risk Substance Use Guideline’s Used in this Study

“The LRCUG are based on scientific evidence, identifying behaviors within the user’s control that influence the risk of health consequences from cannabis use. Our expert group systematically reviewed up-to-date evidence, and translated it into concrete recommendations on how to practically reduce such health risks.” [6]

“An important educational tool in a public health-oriented alcohol policy are so-called ‘Low Risk Drinking Guidelines’.⁷ These use scientific evidence to provide guidelines on practices or patterns of alcohol use that substantially reduce the risks of experiencing acute and long-term harms.⁷” [8]

“… evidence consistently shows that individual substance use behaviors, and corresponding choice-making by users, substantially influence related health – and, on the population level, public health – outcomes. Hence, informing and influencing individual users to make choices to lower substance use-related health risks, based on scientific evidence, constitutes an integral component for a public health approach.⁴⁴ “ [9]

“… the LRCUG present a set of user-oriented recommendations towards informing and adjusting use-related risk behaviors, and consequentially reducing acute or long-term health harm for desired results. As such, the LRCUG serve as a ‘targeted prevention’ tool, as exists in other areas of health behaviors (e.g., low-risk drinking, safer sex, healthy eating/ nutrition guidelines) (Johnson et al., 2003; Mozaffarian, 2016; Rehm and Patra, 2012; Snook, 2004).” [10]

“It was assumed at the outset of this undertaking that guidelines which set specific low-risk levels are a useful device to assist consumers in making individual drinking decisions.” [11]