A Gallup poll conducted in October showed that 70 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization. Less than a month later, Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational use. “More than 50 percent of the U.S. population lives in a state that has ended cannabis prohibition for adults — and nearly 75 percent live in a jurisdiction that has legalized medical or recreational marijuana,” watchdog news outlet Marijuana Moment reports.
But there’s no such thing as a harmless drug.
The marijuana industry and its proponents are getting a pass on its negative effects, especially addiction. As an industry that touts treatments for epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea and chronic pain management, leaders should also be held responsible for informing us of the possible risks. Substance usage can result in dependency. Recreation can become addiction. For marijuana consumers, it’s called cannabis use disorder.
Addiction to cannabis looks like using marijuana as a primary coping mechanism, putting yourself in harm’s way, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and failed attempts to cut back, to name a few symptoms. Only 4 to 5 of the 12 outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are needed to diagnose addiction.
Marijuana advocates don’t want to talk about addiction. First of all, no industry talks about the harmful stuff until they’re legally forced to. Lookin’ at you, Philip Morris. Also, no one wants to rain on the parade of hard-fought destigmatization. And scores of science and health journals are finally publishing verifiable results of Mary Jane’s benefits. The more you know, the better decisions you make.
That’s why we need to treat marijuana addiction like other kinds of addiction — as a health disorder. Recently, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published “Uncovering genetic roots of marijuana use disorder” which studied almost 21,000 people diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. They found genetic links in areas previously associated with risk-taking behavior and nicotine addiction. Senior investigator Arpana Agrawal, a psychiatry professor at the university, stated, “It has been estimated that up to 20% of those who use cannabis will develop problems. When we think about why some people who use cannabis develop problems with it, about 50% of that risk is due to genetics.”
Combine this genetic propensity with widespread social acceptance, and you’ve got high chances for an addiction storm.
On top of addiction, large doses of marijuana can cause some major problems. Cedars-Sinai reports daily users of marijuana could find themselves in the emergency room with severe vomiting known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Prolonged vomiting can also lead to a slew of other health issues. Other effects include difficulty breathing, panic, anxiety and paranoia. Research is still being done on its impact on those with mood disorders such as depression.
Marijuana usage can clearly have real consequences, but we change the subject. The munchies and giggles are fun, and compared with other drugs, there isn’t much risk. You can’t die from a marijuana overdose, and unlike alcohol, consuming marijuana doesn’t incite violence or cause blackouts. Marijuana is hailed, not just as the lesser of all vice-related evils, but more like a friendly therapist who helps the participant relax and open up.
But if I’m on public transit and someone pulls out a flask, I worry for them and assume they have a problem. Anyone who needs to drink all day to get through is, by American definition, an alcoholic. However, if that person regularly vapes cannabis oil in public or personal environments, they don’t face the same stigma. Perhaps they should.
In recent decades, anti-marijuana propaganda such as “Reefer Madness” has been replaced by Hollywood’s depictions of its “harmless” effects. Portrayals include whimsical characters and class clowns (“Dazed and Confused,” “How High”). Casual consumption depicts goofy and lazy behavior without issue — as long as you’re not allergic and don’t consume a bad strain or a potency far beyond your tolerance. (Remember that poor guy in the back seat of the cop car in the opening scene of “Super Troopers”? “I’m freakin’ out, man!”)
The first time I smoked weed, I was a teenager hanging out with friends, drifting into the best mood of my life while listening to Fiona Apple. Twenty years later, an avid weed consumer and advocate, I met my wife, who is sober. This reality prompted extensive reflection of and changes to my behavior. When your partner can be triggered into relapse, the consequences of consumption become much greater than misplacing car keys or working the first half of the day with a hangover. Now, there’s some skin in the game, and it belongs to the one you love. We all deserve that kind of candid reflection for ourselves as well.
Times are changing. The least we can do is change them for the better. That starts with clearing the smoke around what addiction looks like, providing intentional education to a new generation of consumers and, in whatever we advocate for, acknowledging that nothing is all good or all bad.
The SAMHSA National Helpline offers confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. Call 1-800-662-4357.