There’s no consensus on whether or not cannabis is addictive. The medical community is polarized over this. Some health experts believe cannabis is highly addictive and warn people not to consume it.
Some feel it is not as much addictive as coke or crystal meth. Still others (many of them probably smoked weed in their college days) believe there’s no scientific evidence confirming marijuana addiction is possible.
Is cannabis really addictive?
One way to determine whether or not a substance is addictive is by observing how people taking it are behaving afterwards. If they are topsy-turvy, have slurred speech, acting purely on impulsive, there’s a high chance the substance is addictive, for it has some elements in it that cause a stupefying effect on consumers.
Cannabis causes an intoxicating effect. It is used as a recreational drug to get high. In this sense, it can be considered addictive. Technically however, cannabis is not addictive as cannabis users do just fine without it. Yes, they yearn for it every once in a while, but the yearning is not as strong as heroin or crack. Also, cannabis consumption has a long history behind it and some benefits,
No bodily damage
Unlike other hallucinogens, cannabis doesn’t cause damage to the body. Crystal meth, for example, causes horrible effects. Google “crystal meth before and after” to see the horror it causes. If marijuana were a dangerous psychoactive substance that leaves a lethal impact on the body, the FDA would have never assigned it the “controlled substance” status.
Potent psychoactive drugs like bath salt, flakka and meth are so addictive that consumers experience withdrawal symptoms when they stay away from these drugs. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, depending on the amount taken, how long the abuser’s been taking the drug and their health condition.
Compared to these drugs, marijuana is fairly safe as people who take it can quit at any time and they can stay away from it for as long as they want. However, marijuana abusers report they feel a longing for it after they quit and many of them revert.
US laws on cannabis
The legality of marijuana in the US is a sketchy context. The federal law prohibits the consumption and possession of marijuana via the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. Under this act, cannabis is considered a schedule I substance. The medical use of it is prohibited. But the states have laws that often conflict with the federal law.
There are over twenty states where marijuana is legal. But before you get all too excited, understand the laws in these states are often confusing. Most of these states have some kind of qualifying conditions for a person to use and possess it. Very few states allow the use of recreational marijuana. California is one of these states. In addition, California allows marijuana to be used for treating debilitating illnesses.
Here’s an updated list of states where marijuana is legal.
The fact that many states are tolerant to cannabis and have flexible laws is a proof it is not as addictive as some of the scary drugs out there.
Chemical compound specific regulations
There are eight states in total that allow CBD usage exclusively for epilepsy patients. CBD treats neurological disorders. These states are Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, Virginia, and Tennessee. What this means is CBD cannot be used to treat any disease other than epilepsy, in these states.
CBD and THC specific laws across states reflect oddities. This is chiefly due to lawmakers who feel the need to introduce changes, often unnecessarily. In Wisconsin, for example, the use of medical CBD only needs a doctor’s recommendation and that’s all. But the Department of Justice labeled the possession of CBD oil that comes from hemp illegal.
Georgia probably has the most interesting law, which allows people to possess no more than 20 ounces of CBD oil, with only 5% THC and 1:1 THC to CBD ratio. The law makes it hard for customers to import CBD oil as most packaged containers shipped into the United States from outside contain more than 20 ounces of CBD oil.
How to buy cannabis
Once again, there’s no centralized guideline. Each state has its own law. If you want to buy cannabis, check the law of your state. Inquire whether your state allows you to smoke weed for recreational purpose. Here’s a handy list to help you out.
When you are buying cannabis for medical purpose, a doctor’s prescription is a must. Without it, you can’t legally buy it. If you are buying for recreational use, check if the shop selling cannabis has legal permit from the state government. If they fail to show you a permit and you still buy from them, that’d be considered a crime and law enforcement would have every reason to arrest you. Stores with permit normally ask their customers to show them IDs, it’s a proof the buyer is 21 or older.
Summing up
The assumption that underlies the inhibitory laws is cannabis is addictive and its usage is detrimental to health. However, contemporary scientific research doesn’t suggest anything as such. Still the laws exist. There are movements to repeal these laws, but not much success there. So as a buyer, you must know your rights and buy cannabis accordingly.