While marijuana laws continue to evolve across the U.S., its use remains a topic of concern—especially when it comes to heavy marijuana users. Although medical marijuana is legal in many states for conditions like chronic pain, unregulated marijuana consumption, especially in the form of smoking joints or using vape pens and disposable vapes, can lead to marijuana abuse. CBD products, including CBD edibles, tinctures, and vapes, are widely marketed as therapeutic, but many consumers mistakenly assume they’re risk-free. It’s important to distinguish between evidence-based medical marijuana use and heavy cannabis use that may cause harm.
Marijuana use is common amongst American adults, especially young people. With approximately 19 percent of Americans using cannabis, many consider it a low-risk substance. However, there are dangers of using weed. If you take weed too often, you can form dependence and become addicted. Truthfully, the risk of addiction increases the more often you use the substance, especially over years of long-term use. If being a heavy user of weed opens you up to health risks, where is the line? What makes a person a chronic weed user?
What Is Considered a Heavy User of Weed?
As noted, weed addiction is a problem that results from heavy use. Since dependence is developed over time and not from a few uses, how much weed is considered too much? Although the substance affects everyone differently, with different tolerance levels, heavy weed use includes daily, long-term use. If a person is smoking weed nearly every day, every day, or multiple times a day, this is considered chronic use. Because they are smoking so often, they likely have become dependent on the pleasurable effects. In fact, their system probably relies on their daily dose and will produce symptoms like cravings if they skip it.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant which can be grown all over the world, including North America. Cannabis is the name for the whole plant, of which all parts can be used. Thus, marijuana refers specifically to the parts of the plant containing THC, a psychoactive ingredient. Because marijuana has THC, it has different legalities in different places, including across the States. Notably, marijuana produces calming and relaxing effects like euphoria, tiredness, peacefulness, and dissociation. Other names for marijuana include weed and pot. Some varieties of the drug are stronger than others, meaning it can be hard for first-time users to know how much to take.
Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Use
Using marijuana once or twice won’t lead to reliance on the drug, but long-term, regular use can cause addiction. If you become dependent on marijuana, you could experience any of these symptoms:
- Cravings
- Headaches
- Poor memory
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Tremors
- Reliance on daily weed use
- Mood swings
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Loss of interest in other hobbies
- Loss of motivation/goals
- Paranoia
- Nightmares
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
Is Smoking a Joint a Day Considered a Heavy User?
Yes, daily marijuana use that is regular and long-term is considered heavy weed use. If you smoke a joint a day, you have a much greater risk of becoming addicted than someone who only uses weed occasionally. And if you become dependent on weed, you could experience any of the harmful symptoms of weed addiction outlined above. Getting help for marijuana abuse has many benefits to consider.
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Call 866-881-1184What Are the Risks of Using Marijuana Every Day?
Engaging in daily weed use puts you at risk of addiction and lasting health complications. Research shows likely consequences of chronic weed use on the brain, like reduced functioning, memory loss, and lower I.Q. As mentioned, heavy marijuana use can lead to dependence, where weed will play an important role in your daily life. In another sense, this means weed has control over you. You’ll be fending off withdrawal symptoms, needing to keep repurchasing weed, and having to set aside time to smoke every day. Further, chronic weed users are at a greater risk of stroke, heart attack, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), and lung disease.
Among the risks associated with heavy marijuana use are cognitive impairment, mental health decline, and disrupted brain development, particularly in younger users. Smoking one joint or using pre-rolled joints occasionally may not cause immediate harm, but heavy usage over time can lead to more serious consequences, especially when marijuana smoke contains high concentrations of THC or live resin.
If you develop chronic marijuana addiction, you’ll have difficulty quitting because of the way the drug has altered your brain chemistry.
Do I Need Help for a Marijuana Addiction?
Yes, if you have become dependent on marijuana, you will likely need help stopping. While people attempt to quit on their own, the process is difficult, painful, and may fail. Notably, relapse is prevalent amongst people who try to quit on their own. The alternative is getting help through a detox center. We offer medical weed detoxification and professional addiction treatment. As our guest, you’ll rid marijuana from your system of marijuana, learn the roots of your addiction, and develop coping skills.
Treatment Programs for Cannabis Abuse
What constitutes heavy marijuana use can vary, but heavy vs. casual use often comes down to frequency, quantity, and whether it impacts daily functioning. The risks associated with heavy marijuana consumption include increased risk of substance abuse, poor academic or work performance, and long-term negative consequences for mental health. While some use marijuana, especially in medical contexts, to relieve symptoms, others fall into patterns of abuse that mirror other illicit drugs. Public education about the physical and mental health risks is essential to addressing the growing concerns around marijuana abuse in the context of broader substance abuse issues.
If you are considered a heavy marijuana user, we invite you to enter our marijuana addiction treatment program, where you will detox from weed and develop motivation to stay sober. We offer inpatient and outpatient programs with flexible timelines and schedules. Currently, you may not be in control of marijuana, but you can take back your power. In treatment, your program is customized around you and your goals. Please consider reaching out to us today.
