Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, with over 52 million people reporting use in 2021. While often seen as socially acceptable, regular marijuana use can lead to serious health issues, including marijuana addiction.
The drug can create intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria, which can make it challenging for those struggling with addiction to stop using it.
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, with 18.7% of people over age 12 reporting use in 2021. It’s often called by many street names, including weed, pot, grass, Mary Jane, ganja, and bud.
Many people use marijuana for its pleasurable effects, which can include euphoria, relaxation, heightened sensory perception, increased appetite, and an altered sense of time.
While these effects are often enjoyable, some users may experience negative reactions, such as anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic. In rarer cases, marijuana use can lead to hallucinations, delusions, or psychosis.
The answer to “how long does weed stay in your system” varies depending on factors like how often you use it, your metabolism, and the type of drug test. In general, marijuana can be detectable anywhere from about 3 days to several months.
Marijuana contains THC, a compound that closely resembles a naturally occurring brain chemical called anandamide. Because of this similarity, THC can attach to receptors in the brain, altering both mental and physical processes to create marijuana’s effects. Over time, frequent THC exposure can reduce the body’s natural production of anandamide, which may make users more reliant on the drug.
Marijuana has been a widely used recreational drug in the United States for decades. With growing acceptance of its medicinal benefits and, in some states, legal recreational use, there are now more ways than ever for people to access and use marijuana.
How is marijuana typically used? Here are some of the most common methods today:
Smoking marijuana involves inhaling the dried parts of the cannabis plant to experience its effects. People commonly smoke it using joints (small, cigarette-like rolls), blunts (larger, cigar-like rolls), or bongs (specialized pipes for marijuana use). Smoking remains the most popular way to use marijuana, with roughly 90% of users choosing this method.
Vaping is a newer way to use marijuana that relies on a vape pen—an electronic device that heats marijuana so it can be inhaled as vapor. Some vape pens are made for ground cannabis flower, while others use cannabis oil. In both cases, the device heats the material to produce a vapor that users inhale.
Marijuana edibles are foods or drinks that contain cannabis. Traditionally, dried parts of the plant were added to recipes to create a high, but today, many users opt for packaged edibles with measured amounts of active compounds like THC for a more controlled experience. Popular edibles include brownies, cookies, cakes, candy, and beverages such as tea or soft drinks.
Dabbing involves inhaling concentrated marijuana oils or extracts. These THC-rich concentrates create a stronger, more intense high, which can raise the risk of developing marijuana addiction. Additionally, some oils and concentrates may contain harmful contaminants like pesticides or solvents, posing extra health risks.
The cannabis plant is a green, flowering plant with long, almond-shaped leaves that form a fan-like pattern at the ends of its stems. The plant’s flowers, called buds, are dense, nugget-shaped, and covered in tiny hair-like structures known as trichomes.
Marijuana refers to the dried parts of the cannabis plant, including its leaves, stems, and buds.
While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, several states have legalized it for adult recreational use, and more than half allow it for medical purposes.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the same category as LSD and ecstasy, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and is illegal at the federal level.
Despite this, some states have passed laws permitting recreational marijuana use for adults, and most states allow medical use. This patchwork of federal and state regulations can create complications. For instance, transporting marijuana across state lines—even between states where it’s legal—remains illegal under federal law and can lead to serious penalties.
Medical marijuana is used to help manage symptoms associated with certain health conditions. Like recreational marijuana, it is still illegal at the federal level, but several states have legalized it for medicinal purposes.
In states where medical marijuana is allowed, regulations vary. Typically, patients must meet specific requirements, such as having a qualifying medical condition. Common examples include chronic pain, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS, among others.
Yes, marijuana can be addictive. While not everyone who uses marijuana develops a dependence, studies show that about 3 in 10 users experience marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana use disorder is marked by difficulty stopping use and prioritizing marijuana over important aspects of life, such as social events, work, or family responsibilities.
Like other addictive substances, THC—the psychoactive compound in marijuana—triggers increased dopamine release in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to the brain’s pleasure and reward system. When dopamine levels surge beyond what occurs naturally, users experience intense feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Over time, the brain seeks to recreate these sensations, which can contribute to marijuana addiction.
Yes, marijuana can be dangerous. Although many consider it relatively safe, using marijuana can have serious side effects, including marijuana addiction, temporary psychosis, and impaired driving.
Long-term use may also impact overall health, potentially affecting brain development, increasing the risk of heart disease, and causing damage to the lungs and blood vessels.
Marijuana stimulates the brain’s reward system, creating strong feelings of pleasure. These euphoric effects can make users want more, increasing the risk of marijuana addiction.
Marijuana use can lead to short-term mental health effects such as anxiety and paranoia. In some cases, it may also trigger more serious issues, including temporary psychosis or an increased risk of schizophrenia.
Research indicates that marijuana can interfere with brain development, particularly in infants, children, and young adults.
Marijuana is often referred to as a “gateway drug,” suggesting that its use may lead some individuals to try other, more harmful substances. While research is limited, there is evidence supporting this potential gateway effect.
Marijuana use has been associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular conditions. It can also cause a temporary rise in blood pressure and heart rate shortly after use.
Smoking marijuana is the most common way to use it, but any form of smoking can damage lung tissue and raise the risk of bronchitis, persistent coughing, and increased mucus production.
Both THC and CBD come from the cannabis plant, but unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and doesn’t cause mind-altering effects. In 2018, the FDA approved CBD as part of the prescription drug Epidiolex, which is used to treat certain childhood epilepsy syndromes, including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
Despite potential benefits, regulators note that research on CBD’s safety and effectiveness is still limited. Still, its popularity in foods, supplements, and cosmetics has surged in recent years.
Unlike THC, CBD from the hemp plant is legal under federal law as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
\If you’re struggling with marijuana addiction, you may wonder: Can you get help for weed? Marijuana addiction can seriously impact your health, relationships, and overall well-being—but recovery is possible.
At Arizona IOP, you or your loved one can access effective outpatient treatment for marijuana addiction, including therapies to manage withdrawal symptoms and comprehensive support to help you succeed in recovery.
Arizona IOP, located in the desert mountains of North Scottsdale, provides personalized care in a supportive, professional environment, with experienced clinicians guiding you through every step of your recovery journey.
