Marijuana use is arguably at an all-time high across the United States.
Still, recent reports and studies seem to indicate this might not be an unmitigated good. There are some aspects of marijuana use that are very important to know about.
The weed enthusiast likely sees such sentiments with more than a little skepticism.
“Reefer madness” and other propaganda campaigns were part of a coordinated effort to stigmatize the use of marijuana, so it is absolutely understandable that many weed users are reticent to acknowledge issues with the substance.
One study, called the Marijuana Research Report and published at the National Institutes of Health, seems to indicate some amount of dependance can be accrued with long enough frequent use of marijuana.
“Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which takes the form of addiction in severe cases,” the study says.
“Recent data suggest that 30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.18 People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.”
Marijuana use has also recently entered a heightened level of prevalence and acceptance.
Individual states in droves have legalized recreational and medical marijuana in recent years, and the added usage of weed and also its research and development until the drug was a highly potent substance, the study claims.
These new aspects have added variables to the familiar calculus around marijuana. “Not your father’s weed” may cause some to roll their eyes, but researchers claim the stronger weed is definitely an aspect of current problems.
Still, there are potential solutions.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a relative of marijuana that doesn’t get its users high but may provide an “off-ramp” for those who are hooked on ultra-strong marijuana and facing negative side-effects.
Many people love CBD for their chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other problems.
Hemp and CBD are also available in smokeable flower that will strike users of marijuana as comfortable and familiar.
"The results from our trial open up a novel therapeutic strategy for managing problematic cannabis use in clinical settings," lead author Dr. Tom Freeman told the Fresh Toast, a popular cannabis industry newsletter.
"As we highlight, CBD at daily oral doses of 400mg and 800mg has potential to address the substantial and currently unmet clinical need for a pharmacological treatment of cannabis use disorders."
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