Marijuana addiction is real, and teenage users are most at risk

In the rush to legalize marijuana in Canada, medical experts are warning about weed’s alarming side, particularly for younger users
Maclean's (Canada)
Monday, January 15, 2018

canada ottawa cannabisCases of substance-use disorders are exactly what the federal government is hoping to avoid in its push to legalize recreational marijuana, and they may be the biggest test of whether legalization is ultimately successful. They could also prove to be immensely challenging. That it’s even possible to become dependent on cannabis could come as a surprise to many, especially young people. A survey conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), published last year, found that a majority of youth were unaware that cannabis can be addictive and lead to withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana use among young people has declined over the past few years, but Canada still has one of the highest rates in the developed world.