People in the UK have very different opinions when it comes to whether Marijuana is addictive or not and whether it’s safe for consumption.  The debate has really been heated with scientists coming out with very differing opinions.  In 2004 the British government downgraded cannabis from Grade B to Grade C however in 2009 was upgraded to Grade B again.

It’s been widely believed for years that it’s not addictive yet more and more people are coming forward to say that they are addicted and need help.  When Marijuana was originally downgraded in 2004, the numbers of people seeking help doubled which is why it was upgraded again.  Yet despite this, there has been no slow down in the numbers of people seeking help with their addiction.

There have also been studies to show how addictive different substances are.  Compared to tobacco, alcohol and heroin, the percentage of people who take cannabis and then go on to become dependant is incredibly low at only 4% compared to tobacco which is 21%.

Addiction vs. Habit

Some people claim that cannabis is addictive whilst others say that it’s just a habit.  However what is an addiction and what is simply a habit?  This is pretty difficult to quantify.  People turn to cannabis for a variety of reasons.  Perhaps they are feeling stressed, depressed or anxious.  When they take the cannabis they feel more relaxed.  Some people can even take it as way of celebrating.

When you do something on a regular basis it can easily turn into a habit however it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re addicted.  You can get into the habit of putting your slippers on as soon as you get into the house - this doesn’t mean to say you are addicted to slippers!

Of course, if the habit of taking cannabis becomes so great that it starts to have a detrimental effect on your life then it’s a serious problem that needs to be resolved.  Cannabis can become an emotional crutch and can therefore be a sign that the individual needs psychiatric help.

Withdrawal Symptoms

With other kinds of drugs, if you stop taking them your body will suffer from withdrawal symptoms.  In some cases people can even suffer from seizures which is why you need to have good medical supervision.  

It’s said that side-effects don’t happen with cannabis however people will still have to deal with their lives devoid of their emotional crutch.  Because there is no physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking cannabis, some people argue that this means cannabis isn’t addictive.  Conversely there are people who say that there are physical side-effects from cannabis, therefore it is addictive.

Weed vs. Skunk

There are many different terms used to describe Marijuana such as Cannabis, Ganja, Hash and Weed.  However in the 1990’s a new kid on the block appeared known as Skunk.  It was developed through selective breeding and was found to grow very well in colder climates using a growing system called hydroponics.

The problem with Skunk is that’s a totally different beast from the Hash that the hippies smoked in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Skunk is way more powerful as it contains 10-14%  THC compared to the traditional cannabis of only 2-4%.  The result is that the effects of the Skunk is potentially very different with many people claiming to experience an effect more similar to LSD.

Unfortunately more than 80% of the cannabis sold in the UK is of the Skunk variety, whereas in 2002 the percentage was only 30%. I think this seriously adds to the confusion about whether it’s healthy, addictive or should be legalised  I think there needs to be a very clear distinction between the two and at the moment there doesn’t seem to be.

Addictive Personalities

When it comes to trying to decide whether cannabis is addictive or not, we need to consider the fact that some people have addictive personalities.  It’s believed that this is inherited through our genes and some people find it very easy to become addicted whilst there are others who don’t.

People Can Get Addicted To Anything

My personal opinion is that you can develop a habit or addiction to pretty much anything that has an effect on the chemicals in your body.  You can get addicted to eating salads and drinking lots of water because it makes you feel healthy.  You can get addicted to exercise because it releases endorphins.  You can get addicted to bungee jumping because of the adrenaline that surges through your body.

And perhaps the most addictive substance on the market is food.  People are addicted to greasy, sugary and salty food.  As a result more and more people are getting obese and therefore suffering from all the other illnesses that surround it.  

Think about the amount of money that the NHS is spending on weight loss surgery and drugs for those who have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease to name but a few.  People develop a habit or addiction towards junk food in many of the same ways they develop a habit for cannabis.  It makes you feel good and is an emotional crutch.  

Conclusion

There are certainly a lot of things to consider when looking at the issue of whether Marijuana is addictive or not.  We need to take into consideration:-
 

• Why people feel the need to take it in the first place and what is it about their lives that makes them think cannabis will help them
• Whether the individual has an addictive personality or a family history of it.
• The difference between the traditional cannabis and the super-potent skunk variety.

Please note that I do not have a medical background nor am I condoning or condemning cannabis.  I believe that as individuals we need to be as educated as we can do then go onto to make our own decisions.

Cannabis is illegal and therefore if you are buying cannabis from someone you are also buying from a criminal.  Do you really trust a criminal enough to buy a product you are putting into your body?  For instance, a lot of growers cover the plants in glass powder which helps to bulk out the product and make it look like you are getting more for your money.

Of course, this article is about whether it’s addictive or not.  You need to do further research on the health risks and whether it should be legalised.

I understand that this is a very emotive subject therefore everyone will have their own thoughts and opinions to share.  You are welcome to leave a comment however please make sure you keep it civil.