Marijuana Addiction | Marijuana, Weed, & Cannabis In Ohio

Marijuana can be habit-forming. A marijuana addiction, also known as a cannabis use disorder or marijuana use disorder, can be defined as an inability to stop using marijuana despite its negative health effects.

There have been widespread efforts to legalize and decriminalize marijuana use in the United States. Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in 19 states, while medical marijuana is legal in 37. However, marijuana is still considered an illicit drug by the federal government.

Despite a growing positive perception of marijuana, especially among young adults, using the substance in any form can cause health problems.

Marijuana Use & Abuse

Marijuana is derived from the cannabis plant, whose medicinal properties have been utilized for centuries. One of marijuana’s ingredients is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. THC has psychoactive properties that contribute to the high associated with marijuana use.

Recreational use of marijuana is common in the United States, where over 48.2 million people engaged in some form of marijuana use in 2019.

Forms Of Marijuana

Marijuana can be smoked in hand-rolled joints, inhaled through water pipes known as bongs, or baked into products known as edibles. This drug is also available as hash oil, various concentrates, and other products like resin, shatter, or distillate cartridges and vapes.

Medical marijuana can be prescribed as an appetite stimulant or pain reliever. Medical marijuana may contain little to no THC, which may result in a lower abuse potential compared to THC-containing products.

Effects Of Marijuana Abuse

Taking marijuana to get high can cause short-term and long-term side effects such as:

• impairment
• changes in perception
• disorientation
• increased heart rate
• respiratory problems
• memory loss
• trouble concentrating

In rare cases, reports of hospitalizations and psychosis have been reported. Patients with existing schizophrenia may also experience worsened symptoms after ingesting marijuana.

Signs Of Marijuana Addiction

Signs of a marijuana use disorder may include:

• making marijuana use a high priority in your life
• a decline in productivity at school or work
• changes in social circles to include people who use marijuana
• exhibiting side effects of marijuana use

THC can contribute to a substance use disorder by activating cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This action can release dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and motivation. Over time, the brain may rely on THC to release dopamine instead of producing it naturally.

Data from the CDC reports that around 30% of all people who smoke marijuana have some form of marijuana use disorder. 

However, the widespread popularity and legalization of marijuana may contribute to public perception of the drug. The CDC reports that a significant percentage of young people do not associate negative consequences with marijuana use.

Marijuana Dependence & Withdrawal

If you are suffering from a marijuana use disorder, you may experience marijuana dependence due to the drug’s effects on your cannabinoid receptors. In this state, you may experience marijuana withdrawal when trying to quit.

Withdrawal can be a reaction of the body when the habit-forming substance is longer ingested. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms may include cravings, dysphoria, sleeping problems, and a loss of appetite.

Marijuana Addiction Treatment In Ohio

Today’s marijuana products may contain significantly more THC compared to products from decades past. Increased THC may increase the pleasurable and habit-forming effects of marijuana. This trend may signal marijuana as a public health concern as more data emerges.

If you or a loved one are suffering from drug addiction due to marijuana, you may benefit from a referral to a treatment center. Professional treatment centers can offer a safe environment and counseling options, where you learn and implement alternatives to drug use.

At Ohio Recovery Center, our drug addiction treatment programs are performed in an inpatient setting with a variety of treatment services like group therapy, medical detox, and more. To learn if our rehab program works for you or your loved one, please contact us today.

FAQ

How Much Does Marijuana Cost On The Street?

In Ohio, the average price of an ounce of marijuana bought off the street is about $200. In contrast, medical marijuana purchased from a dispensary goes for about $310.

Learn more about Marijuana Street Prices

Can You Overdose On Marijuana?

If a person takes an excessively large amount of cannabis relative to their body weight and tolerance, marijuana intoxication  can include a variety of non-lethal overdose symptoms

Learn more about Marijuana Overdose Symptoms

What Does Marijuana Look Like?

What marijuana looks like depends on the form it’s in. The plant is green with serrated leaves, the buds look like dried hairy clumps, and ground marijuana looks like a greenish brown powder. There are also concentrated forms of marijuana that look like honeycomb.

Learn more about What Marijuana Looks Like

What Does Marijuana Smell Like?

The smell of marijuana can vary depending on several factors such as the strain of weed or if the marijuana is smoked or eaten as an edible. Many of the smells come from organic compounds, or terpenes, which create a number of scents including pine, skunk, and fruity smells.

Learn more about What Marijuana Smells Like

What’s The Difference Between Indica & Sativa Strains?

Modern cannabis has been cultivated to create a diverse variety of hybrids and designer strains. In general, however:

• indica-dominant cannabis strains tend to be more sedating and have broader and darker leaves
• sativa-dominant strains are more energizing and tend to have narrow, brighter leaves

Learn more about Indica Vs. Sativa

What Happens When You Mix Adderall & Marijuana?

When you mix Adderall and marijuana, you may experience increased heart rate, hallucinations, dry mouth, short-term memory loss, and/or insomnia. Frequently combining these two controlled substances increases the risk of overdose, health issues, and addiction.

Learn more about Mixing Adderall & Marijuana

What Happens When You Mix Alcohol & Marijuana?

Those who participate in “crossfading,” or the combination of alcohol and marijuana use, may experience a number of serious side effects which can occur due to central nervous system depression. 

Breathing can be slowed, leading to respiratory depression, and other side effects like increased anxiety, blackouts, and memory loss may occur.

Learn more about Mixing Alcohol With Marijuana

Is It Safe To Mix Zoloft & Weed?

While there hasn’t been much academic research for the combination of Zoloft and weed, both drugs increase serotonin levels in the brain. If the drugs are abused together, it may result in a life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome.

Learn more about Mixing Zoloft & Marijuana

What’s Marijuana Called On The Street?

Marijuana has a variety of names on the street. However, some of the common street names consist of reefer, skunk, grass, or weed.

Learn more about Marijuana Street Names

How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?

CBD stays in your system for anywhere between 1 day to 1 week. Factors that affect how long CBD stays in your system may include your metabolic rate, frequency of use, and the amount of CBD taken. CBD use can cause a positive test result for THC.

Learn more about How Long CBD Stays In Your System

Is Weed Legal In Ohio?

Although recreational marijuana is illegal in Ohio, medical marijuana is legal. Only those registered with the state’s Medical Marijuana Control Program and suffer from specific health conditions may be prescribed medical marijuana.

To learn more, read Is Weed Legal In Ohio?