Why Legalizing Marijuana Doesn’t Negate the Consequences of Chronic Abuse

California recreational marijuana
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States—in the past month alone it has been used by 22.2 million people. Though marijuana has a long history of use throughout history, American culture has recently caught up with its popularity. Despite being classified as a Schedule I drug on the federal level by the DEA, many states and provinces have loosened up marijuana laws. In many areas, the drug has become legal to use medicinally; in others, even recreational use is now legal.

Perhaps more to the point is that popular media has normalized the use of marijuana so much, it’s essentially been put on a level playing field with casual drinking. If you live in a big city like Los Angeles or New York, it’s not unusual to see or smell marijuana being smoked openly on the sidewalk. As with alcohol though, there are different levels of use to consider. A casual drink once in a while after work or the once in a blue moon smoke are unlikely to cause a problem. Still, The Atlantic notes in their research that an estimated that 9% of marijuana users are likely to develop a problem with it in their lifetime. Though that number is less than the estimated 16% who will have a problem with alcohol, it is still considerable.

For casual smokers, the question becomes: how much pot is too much? The answer isn’t straightforward. Many people are able to use marijuana frequently without a problem, a fact borne out by the limited data available. Still, moderation with any chemical can be difficult no matter the circumstances. Even more concerning is that unlike alcohol, marijuana consumption is still somewhat unregulated. When you go to the dispensary, you may not know exactly how strong the product you’re consuming is. Marijuana strains are being bred together and hybridized to be stronger and stronger, creating more intensive effects for less money. All of these factors can add to an environment and a culture that makes moderation difficult.

For those considering their own marijuana use, one helpful strategy is trying to cut down on the amount of marijuana being used on a measurable time scale. For example, someone spending $100 a week on marijuana might start by making that same amount of money last for two weeks or a month and see how effectively they can adhere to that budget. More concretely, keeping a calendar of what days you are and are not using and sticking to it may also be a good way to cut down on usage, or at least monitor your own habits.

Of course, these strategies are not foolproof and can be difficult depending on the severity of use. While it is not widely advertised, marijuana does have a wide range of strong effects on the brain. According to the APA, marijuana’s short-term effects can include impaired attention, memory, learning and decision-making skills—all very important mental components that come into play when making major life changes. Even worse is that for adolescent and young adult marijuana users, longer-term effects such as lower life satisfaction, higher dropout rates and increased unemployment are all likelier outcomes as well.

Have you or your loved one tried to quit marijuana before? Were you successful? Although marijuana is not physically addictive in the same way that alcohol or cocaine might be, studies have shown that psychological dependence on marijuana is not entirely uncommon. For those who rely on marijuana to enhance their creativity or to deaden the effects of social anxiety, putting the drug away for good may not be as simple as careful financial planning.

For those who have tried to quit multiple times and failed, it may be worth considering how marijuana has affected other aspects of your life. Does marijuana take priority over your work life? Heavy users of alcohol may find themselves taking extra sick days because of hangovers, or of having a drink in the morning to get going. Although weed “hangovers” are not entirely common, reports from Harvard Medical School have indicated that marijuana can sometimes exacerbate pre-existing psychiatric conditions—it may also add to anxiety and depression. In any case, worsening mental health conditions are likely to have effects that bleed into our professional lives.

Does marijuana get in the way of you or your loved one’s personal relationships? While marijuana may sometimes be used to medicate social anxiety, it can sometimes worsen those conditions and lead to social withdrawal and isolation. In other cases, heavy users may wish to only associate with other heavy users, thereby cutting off loved ones and family members who don’t approve of their behavior. Similarly, heavy use of marijuana often leads to high tolerance levels and a need to use the drug more and more to get the same effects. All of these behaviors can lead to a level of shame, secrecy and dependence that may eventually affect our personal lives.

If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be developing a dependence on marijuana. While only the user themselves can truly determine whether their use is a problem, external evidence that one’s quality of life is decreasing may be enough to reach out for help. Despite marijuana’s reputation as a “soft” drug, many higher-end treatment facilities, such as Cliffside Malibu in California, offer all-encompassing treatment for any number of addictive issues. Those who feel they have a problem with marijuana needn’t feel ashamed or weak for being addicted to a “non-addictive” drug. The solution lies in reaching out to an organization that understands you and wants to actively help you solve your problems.

As mentioned, marijuana is gradually becoming more accepted in society—in many places, it is also being legalized. What does this mean for those who have or fear they may have a problem with it? Although the prevalence of marijuana is a temptation for some, it is important to reach out and find resources that can help you make positive decisions. Although alcohol is also widespread in our culture, the United States has a flourishing Alcoholics Anonymous program that helps people stay sober (along with a bevy of other drug recovery organizations).

As marijuana becomes more openly discussed, more and more people are coming together to acknowledge that it can be misused like any other drug. If you feel that you or your loved ones’ marijuana use is getting out of control, take the time to reach out and see what resources are available to get these issues in check. Although these problems may seem all consuming asking for help is the first step towards a better life.

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