Marijuana—also known as weed, pot, grass, bud, herb, ganja and mary jane, among other slang terms—refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains the psychoactive mind-altering chemical deltatetrahydrocannabinol THC as well as other related compounds. Cannabis plant material can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash oil.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, typically smoked as a hand-rolled cigarette joint or in a pipe or water pipe bong. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive sweet-and-sour odor. Some varieties of cannabis plants are also known as hemp, although "hemp" more commonly refers to a fiber derived from such plants.
Historically, hemp fiber has been used to make rope, paper, fabrics and sail canvas. Today, hemp fiber is used to create concrete-like blocks for construction projects, bioplastics, jewelry and biofuels.
In colonial America, hemp production was required by English rule. George Washington grew it as a crop at Mount Vernon. At that time, hemp plants were low in tetrahydrocannabinol THC , the active component of cannabis, and crops were valued for their role in industry. Use of medicinal cannabis began in America in the s, when products with cannabis extracts were produced and sold to treat maladies such as pain and muscle spasm.
Soon after, pharmaceutical regulations were introduced in some states. Today, marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I substance, which means the drug presents a high risk for abuse and is deemed to have no medicinal uses. However, several states have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use, and 23 states as well as the District of Columbia allow use of medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. To be considered a legitimate medicine by the U.
Food and Drug Administration FDA , a drug must have well-defined and measurable ingredients consistent from one unit such as a pill or injection to the next. Since the cannabis plant contains hundreds of chemical compounds that vary from plant to plant and those various compounds may cause different effects and because the drug is typically ingested via smoking, its medicinal use is difficult to evaluate.
And scientists continue to investigate the medicinal properties of other chemicals found in the cannabis plant, such as cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound being studied for its effectiveness in treating pain, pediatric epilepsy and other conditions. In , the THC concentration in marijuana samples confiscated by law enforcement averaged near 15 percent, compared with an average concentration of four percent in the s.
High-potency forms of the drug can expose new users to increased concentrations of THC and greater risk of experiencing adverse or unpredictable reactions. For frequent users, higher potency can increase the risk of marijuana addiction. Learn more about the history of marijuana and legislative policy. Psychol Addict Behav. The science of drug use and addiction: the basics. Published June Adverse health effects of marijuana use.
The New England Journal of Medicine. Adult work commitment, financial stability, and social environment as related to trajectories of marijuana use beginning in adolescence. Substance Abuse. Impact of adolescent marijuana use on intelligence: Results from two longitudinal twin studies. Marijuana research report. Revised July Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings.
PloS One. Long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain. Shared predisposition in the association between cannabis use and subcortical brain structure. JAMA Psychiatry. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Is marijuana a gateway drug?
Treatment of cannabis use disorder: Current science and future outlook. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Is Marijuana Addictive? In some states, only medical use is legal; some others have also legalized recreational Marijuana.
Medically, Marijuana is used for stress and pain relief and to increase appetite. Recreationally, Marijuana is used for its calming effects. Marijuana has a long history of legislation for and against its use. Fueled by mixed feelings and misinformation, confusion about the existence and risks of Marijuana addiction is still around today. However, it is widely accepted that both Marijuana addiction and withdrawal are real. Marijuana is a Psychoactive drug that alters perception.
The effects of Marijuana may be different for everyone and depend on how it is consumed. Smoking Marijuana produces a faster, shorter-lived high than taking it orally. The effects of using Wax or Shatter can be immediate and last for hours due to their concentrated amounts of THC.
While there is virtually no risk of overdosing, Marijuana has the second-highest rate after Cocaine of emergency room visits caused by abusing an illicit substance. These hospital visits are mostly attributed to accidents that occurred when individuals were intoxicated. Learn More. People can develop a psychological dependence on Marijuana in the same way other addictions develop. When an individual uses Marijuana, Cannabinoid receptors in the brain are activated by a neurotransmitter called anandamide.
THC mimics and blocks the actions of natural neurotransmitters like anandamide, to the point where the body no longer produces sufficient anandamide on its own.
When the user stops bringing more THC into the body, they often experience withdrawal symptoms because of the resulting lack of anandamide. Wanting to quit using Marijuana but being unable to do so is a strong indication of an addiction. These risks can manifest into more immediate consequences such as:. If you have continued to use Marijuana despite significant negative consequences, you may have an addiction.
Find out more about symptoms and warning signs of Marijuana addiction. Marijuana has long been called a gateway drug because users of harder drugs often begin by using Marijuana.
The perception of Marijuana as a gateway drug is most often related to teenage Marijuana use, because teens are more likely to experiment with other drugs. Experts are still investigating why some people become addicted while others don't. There are various reasons that a person might become dependent on marijuana. Of course, this doesn't mean that you will develop an addiction to marijuana if you experience one or more of these risk factors.
Marijuana is made up of many components called cannabinoids. Two of these components, deltatetrahydrocannabinol THC and cannabidiol CBD , have effects that are commonly known to people who use marijuana. THC is known as the substance that makes a person feel a "high," while CBD often promotes a feeling of relaxation. The NIDA reports that the higher potency of marijuana available today—specifically in regard to its THC levels—may be a factor in the rising number of people who develop a problem.
THC can be addictive. Studies suggest that THC is the substance that creates the potential for addiction with weed because of its psychoactive properties. Today, weed typically contains more THC than in the past. Researchers are investigating if higher potency is the reason for an increase in emergency department visits by people testing positive for marijuana.
Experts are finding a link between the age you begin using cannabis and the likelihood that you'll develop a dependence on it. One study found that people who used cannabis starting at age 14 to 15 had a higher probability of developing dependence. On the other hand, for those who started using cannabis after age 15, the risk of developing a dependence drastically decreased. Another study found that those who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a cannabis use disorder later in life.
Daily or weekly marijuana use has been found to increase the chances that a person becomes dependent on the drug in the future. If you use cannabis infrequently, or abstain completely for long periods of time between uses, this has been found to lower the odds that you'll develop a dependence later on.
However, how a person engages with weed is an important factor as well. For instance, one study found that "solitary use," or using the drug by yourself, was a strong sign that a dependence would form in the future. Family relationships have been found to play a role in some cases of cannabis addiction.
For instance, one study found that if your biological parents abuse alcohol or other drugs, you may be more likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs, including marijuana.
A study found that people have "genetic liability" with cannabis use disorder, meaning they are born with specific genes that increase their risk. However, experts agree there are usually more contributing factors such as environment, access to marijuana, socioeconomic status, and more. Some studies have found that people often engage in cannabis use to lessen their feelings of anxiety or depression , and that self-medicating in this way can often lead to drug dependence.
Other mental health considerations have been noted in people with cannabis dependence as well. This includes people coping with panic disorder, with symptoms of ADHD, social anxiety disorder, and low self-esteem. Those coping with poor sleep quality may also use cannabis to relieve these symptoms although in the long term, it's been found to decrease sleep quality.
Research is mixed as to whether mental health issues are more often the cause of cannabis abuse, or whether dependence on cannabis can, in turn, lead to mental health issues.
There are many chronic effects associated with cannabis use disorder. It has been found people with this condition often experience impaired cognitive functioning. This might mean:.
Cannabis use disorder can impact other areas. Studies have found those who struggle with cannabis dependence often find dissatisfaction in various areas of their lives, including relationships, career, and education. The number of people seeking treatment for marijuana abuse has increased significantly. As with most substances of abuse, people who abuse marijuana usually decide to seek help when their use of the drug becomes painful due to increasing negative consequences. Many who seek treatment for marijuana do so due to pressure from family, friends, schools, employers, or the criminal justice system.
Fortunately, there are many types of treatment for cannabis use disorder.
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