Yeah... Take a break, bud

The fact that one does not WANT to stop using a substance doesn’t mean they aren’t addicted. Many substance users, even aware of harms or issues related to the substance, enjoy or are so attached to the feelings given by it that they simply don’t want to stop regardless. It’s accurate to say that weed in most ways it is used, has relatively few and relatively manageable or easily ignored, often mild negative impacts on things like health or ones life. But there are plenty of people who’s use of marijuana impacts their lives negatively, though not every person who uses weed simply neglects life and responsibility. But even heroine and crack have “functioning users” who can maintain suburban lives and careers while using. So that isn’t conclusive.

All told, I’d say that marijuana certainly has psychologically addictive properties, and many users exhibit signs of psychological dependence or addiction. Overall, physical dependency doesn’t seem to be observed, but hasn’t been completely ruled out. It’s all somewhat moot. If we ask: “would you stop using if you could?” If a person says “no” are they saying that because they like the thing or because they need the thing? If they say “yes” and they haven’t stopped.... that implies they want to stop but cannot. Is that a measure of lack of will power or a Mark of addiction? Not being able to avoid junk food and being addicted to food aren’t the same thing... or maybe they are... or perhaps they are related and differing levels of the same thing? I don’t know that it really makes a difference of weed is addictive or not. When we speak of addiction clinically-

Pretty much the major focus is on wether or not a person wants to stop, and wether or not that behavior is causing them risk or harm in their lives. You can be an alcoholic who has 2 beers after work every day because you are dependent on them, and you can have 2 beers after work everyday and not be an alcoholic. Largely it is irrelevant so long as you are wanting to have 2 beers everyday, and having those two beers is not causing any serious and direct impact on your life or health. Due to marijuana being a controlled substance for much of history in much of the world- while there is more research on it in humans than certain other drugs, there really isn’t the body of research to say we have a very good understanding of its relationship- especially long term, with humans. Casual observation suggests it to be relatively safe however. There are quite a few lines between repeating a behavior because one wants to, and repeating it because one is compelled to.

But those lines aren’t easy to draw. If you steal money from someone to buy an ice cream, a game, weed, crack- are you addicted, or does your desire to fulfill the chemical rush your brain gets from these things just greater than your moral compulsion not to steal? I’ve seen kids steal money from their parents to buy weed. It does happen. Stealing from ones parents could be seen as an extreme breach of trust- but I’ve also seen kids steal from parents to buy those other things too. Someone might kill to get crack- people don’t generally kill to get cigarettes or weed- although anything CAN happen- it’s less common. So obviously there are levels of addiction and other factors to consider. I wouldn’t rule weed out as addictive. Probably not physically addictive, possibly psychologically addictive, certainly potentially habit forming with use.