In this Article:
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana Effects
Medical Marijuana
Marijuana Addiction Forum
When THC reaches the brain, it attaches to cannabinoid receptors, an action which kicks off the high. Studies have shown that it has a direct affect on one’s episodic3 memory, and can create difficulty in thinking and problem solving, among other issues. A number of studies have made a direct link between marijuana use in high school and subsequently lower grades as well as higher drop-out rates compared to non-users.4
More relevant to our topic, research has shown that long-term use can create the same kinds of physiological changes in the brain as other drugs.5 These changes are significant in determining the addictive capacity of marijuana, but they are not alone in supporting the conclusion.
While it is evident that not every single person who uses the drug, even habitually, will develop an addiction, the same can be said for virtually every drug. In other words, it’s a fallacy to argue that the drug isn’t addictive based on the fact that not everyone becomes hooked, or further, on the general severity of the addiction.
According to the most basic definition, drug addiction is not defined by how many people use the drug or what percentage of them become addicted; rather, it is characterized by an urge to abuse a substance despite the harm it causes in a person’s life, and in the face of consequences sufficiently destructive to deter most other people. Addicts seek out their drug and use it compulsively, to the extent that they develop a dependence on it.
Many long-term marijuana users report suffering from cravings and withdrawal symptoms when they quit abusing marijuana. They report irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety, and loss of appetite—symptoms that, by-and-large, are seen in the withdrawals from a number of different drugs.
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