Should the U.S. Legalize Marijuana?

• “No”

  

  “Marijuana is Addictive”

• “Objection”

  

  “Rehab is Full of Marijuana Defendants, not Addicts”
  

Marijuana is Addictive

David Evans

Drug Free Schools Coalition

Expert Verified | See Profile

Recommend (0) Comments (9)

Despite arguments from the drug culture to the contrary, marijuana is addictive. Unlike those addicted to many other drugs, the marijuana addict is exceptionally slow to recognize the addiction. This addiction has been well described in the marijuana literature and it consists of both a physical dependence (tolerance and subsequent withdrawal) and a psychological habituation. The risk of addiction is higher than most casual users suspect. Regular users risk developing dependence to the point where they cannot quit even when the drug use starts to negatively impact in other areas of their lives, such as work and personal relations. Around 9 per cent or more of those who try marijuana are unable to stop using it, and demand for treatment for marijuana-related problems has greatly increased in recent years in the US and Europe.

Evidence

Link

Why Should We Care About Cannabis?

Text

Addictive Behaviors 33(3):397-411, March 2008

The Occurrence of Cannabis Use Disorders and Other Cannabis Related Problems Among First Year College Students

Text

Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2006

"As Marijuana Use Rises, More People Are Seeking Treatment for Addiction"

Next Argument

"No" David Evans

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  1
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0

"No" Dr Kevin Sabet

• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  5
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  5
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  3
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  3
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  4
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

"Yes" NORML

• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  40
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  27
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  29
• Industrial Use
  27

Most Objections

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  1
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0
• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  40
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  27
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  29
• Industrial Use
  27
• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  5
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  3
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  3
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  5
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  4
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

Legalize Marijuana?

• Yes
• No

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