Understanding Cannabis Addiction: Signs, Risks, and Facts

Cannabis Can Be Addictive: Stanford Psychiatrist Explains the Rising Risk of Marijuana Dependency Amid Legalization

Dr. Smita Das, an addiction psychiatrist at Stanford University, hears the same myth frequently: “You can’t get hooked on pot.”

But with recreational marijuana now legal in roughly half of U.S. states and medical use permitted in 40, Das emphasizes that cannabis can indeed lead to addiction, clinically known as cannabis use disorder. According to the CDC, the condition affects about three in ten people who use marijuana.

How to Identify Signs of Cannabis Use Disorder and When It Becomes a Problem

Red flags for cannabis addiction include interference with daily life, health, or relationships. “The more that somebody uses and the higher the potency that somebody uses, the higher the risk of that,” Das said.

Cannabis potency has skyrocketed over the decades: THC levels in the 1960s were typically under 5%, but modern flower and concentrates can reach 40% or more, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The stronger the product, the greater the risk for addiction.

Cannabis use disorder is diagnosed like other substance use disorders using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Signs include needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, experiencing withdrawal, and spending significant time obtaining or using marijuana. “When we break it down into these criteria that have to do with the impacts of their use, it’s a lot more relatable,” Das explained.

Understanding the Spectrum: Mild to Severe Cannabis Addiction

Cannabis use disorder can range in severity. Meeting two criteria in a year constitutes a mild form, while six or more indicates a severe case. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported in 2024 that 7% of Americans aged 12 or older had cannabis use disorder, mostly mild, with about 20% classified as severe.

Das notes that addiction is behavioral, while dependence is physical. Marijuana affects individuals differently: the same usage level may seriously impact one person but be negligible for another. “It really comes down to: How much is that substance impacting someone’s functioning and life day-to-day?” she said.

Effective Treatments for Cannabis Use Disorder Include Counseling, Therapy, and Peer Support

Many patients initially seek help for other issues, such as alcohol use, before addressing cannabis use. Das emphasizes that treatments are effective and can help users regain control.

Key approaches include:

• Motivational interviewing – goal-oriented counseling to strengthen internal motivation to change behavior.
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – talk therapy that challenges negative thought patterns and promotes healthier behaviors.
  
• Twelve-step programs, like Marijuana Anonymous, or peer support networks.
  

Dave Bushnell, a retired digital executive, founded a Reddit support group 14 years ago for people recovering from cannabis dependency. The forum has grown to 350,000 members. “This is potheads taking care of potheads,” Bushnell said, highlighting the importance of community in recovery.

Das urges anyone struggling to seek help, whether through professional counseling or peer networks. “Just because something’s legal doesn’t mean that it’s safe,” she said.

Cannabis Addiction Is Real, and Awareness Is Key as Legalization Expands

As more states legalize marijuana, understanding the potential for cannabis use disorder becomes increasingly important. Experts encourage users, families, and communities to recognize warning signs and access available treatment resources.

For more information contact at info@cannabisriskmanager.com