Hey there, let’s have a chat about this article that’s been causing quite a stir in the news lately. You know the one I’m talking about—”It’s Possible to Get Addicted to Pot: Here’s What to Know.” It seems like every major news outlet is jumping on the bandwagon and sharing this piece. But when you start seeing the same story being shared across multiple mainstream media platforms at the same time, your propaganda radar should start going off. And let me tell you, mine is blaring like a five-alarm fire.
First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room. The title itself is enough to raise some eyebrows. “Addicted to pot”? Really? It sounds like something your grandma would say after watching a reefer madness propaganda film from the 1930s. But here we are in 2021, and apparently, we’re still using fear-mongering tactics to demonize a plant that has been used for centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe there’s some truth to this article. Maybe there is a possibility of getting addicted to marijuana. So, let’s dive in and see what they have to say.
The article starts off by stating that “marijuana use disorder” is a real thing and that it affects about 30% of marijuana users. Okay, that’s a pretty bold claim. But what exactly is “marijuana use disorder”? According to the article, it’s when someone experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and difficulty sleeping, when they stop using marijuana. Hmm, sounds a lot like the symptoms of quitting caffeine or sugar. Are we going to start calling those substances addictive too?
The article goes on to mention that marijuana use can lead to negative consequences, such as impaired driving and decreased academic performance. And while these are valid concerns, they fail to mention that these consequences are also associated with alcohol and prescription drugs, which are legal and heavily advertised.
But here’s the kicker—the article states that “marijuana use disorder” is more common in people who start using marijuana at a young age. Well, no kidding. The same can be said for alcohol, tobacco, and pretty much any other substance. Our brains are still developing during our teenage years
