Let’s be real: ANYTHING can be addictive. Like everything in life, it’s never cut and dry (even when harvesting weed!). In today’s article, we share the current opinions and research out there regarding the addictiveness of cannabis, add some concepts to the discussion, and hope you’ll share your thoughts, experiences, and research, too. 

Addiction is a complicated condition. It can affect a person at all levels: physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, environmental, and spiritual. At its most basic, addiction is learned and repeated behaviour (which can include substances, activities, and roles) that activates our brain’s pleasure/reward center.

Health Canada says cannabis is addictive but that not all people who use cannabis will become addicted (roughly 1 out of 10). They quote recent American research results saying that 1 in 3 cannabis users will develop a Cannabis Use Disorder. While many factors play a potential factor in developing any addiction, the most important one is how young brains are more susceptible.

So maybe the better question is:

How addictive is cannabis?

While alcohol and nicotine are listed in the Addiction Center’s list of The 5 Most Addictive Substances on Earth, cannabis fails to make the grade. It can, however, be found on the American Addiction Center’s website in their list of the twelve most addictive drugs.

https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2022-04/CCSA-Knowing-Your-Limits-with-Cannabis-Guide-2022-en.pdf

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/addiction.html