Is Cannabis Addictive? Higher Learning LV Podcast
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- Careers
In No. 44 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins from Higher Learning LV and co-hosts Dena Putnam from Leafwize Naturals and John Bailey from the Mindset Genesis discuss the controversial topic of cannabis addiction. The group tackles the thorny topic of addiction overall and carefully unpacks the topic of potential marijuana addiction or dependence.
Dena Putnam discusses how intent and consumption volume matter, while John Bailey discusses some of the latest statistics revealed by peer-reviewed research studies, including the nine percent of users, on average, who consume cannabis. This is roughly equal to the addiction rate for caffeine, a common drug found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and many other commercial beverages. Bailey also described how some research has revealed that some subgroups of cannabis consumers are more at risk for addiction, including those who began consumption as teens and those who consume daily.
Dena Putnam worries that some consumers in newly legal states may fear use of cannabis because of potential addictive qualities. "Let's start with the scary sounding idea of 'marijuana addiction.' Which instantly brings to mind the Reefer Madness posters that were trying to convince you that a single puff might plunge you into the depths of insanity, where you'll forever walk like a zombie wanting to kill for your next fix. So we know this is ridiculous, right? To the uninitiated, it might potentially scare someone away from a legitimate source of medicine or pain relief," said Putnam.
John Bailey compares cannabis, considered not a drug (it's an herb) or a soft drug, to hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine. He compares physical and psychological dependence and stresses that the legality of a substance does not indicate its safety profile or efficacy. He talks about comfort zones and risks that vary greatly by individual and pattern of use. He recommends approaching one's use of cannabis with caution and informed decision making. "Listen to what we say about it and make your own good decisions," said Bailey.
Robbins stressed that cannabis addiction is real, but that the vast majority of cannabis consumers—including those who consume daily—are not addicted. To illustrate this belief, he cited the several times that he has had to cease consumption of marijuana due to a drug test for a job or health care. He also mentioned that many of his colleagues and friends have also had to cease cannabis consumption at many times during their adult lives for similar reasons and that none had experienced overtly negative or severe withdrawal side effects.
This weekly podcast is targeted at cannabis and hemp industry professionals and is strategically free of profanity and crude dialog. This audio session was edited for length and clarity.
Show Notes 🎧
Discussion article: Is Cannabis Addiction Real? A Research Review: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/is-cannabis-addictive-a-research-review
Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV
Visit Leafwize Naturals (Dena Putnam): https://leafwize.com
Visit the Mindset Genesis (John Bailey): https://www.themindsetgenesis.com/
Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/
Enroll in the course Core Cannabis: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis
Subscribe to the Higher Learning LV Deep Dive Series: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/deep-dive-subscriptions-now-available
In No. 44 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins from Higher Learning LV and co-hosts Dena Putnam from Leafwize Naturals and John Bailey from the Mindset Genesis discuss the controversial topic of cannabis addiction. The group tackles the thorny topic of addiction overall and carefully unpacks the topic of potential marijuana addiction or dependence.
Dena Putnam discusses how intent and consumption volume matter, while John Bailey discusses some of the latest statistics revealed by peer-reviewed research studies, including the nine percent of users, on average, who consume cannabis. This is roughly equal to the addiction rate for caffeine, a common drug found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and many other commercial beverages. Bailey also described how some research has revealed that some subgroups of cannabis consumers are more at risk for addiction, including those who began consumption as teens and those who consume daily.
Dena Putnam worries that some consumers in newly legal states may fear use of cannabis because of potential addictive qualities. "Let's start with the scary sounding idea of 'marijuana addiction.' Which instantly brings to mind the Reefer Madness posters that were trying to convince you that a single puff might plunge you into the depths of insanity, where you'll forever walk like a zombie wanting to kill for your next fix. So we know this is ridiculous, right? To the uninitiated, it might potentially scare someone away from a legitimate source of medicine or pain relief," said Putnam.
John Bailey compares cannabis, considered not a drug (it's an herb) or a soft drug, to hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine. He compares physical and psychological dependence and stresses that the legality of a substance does not indicate its safety profile or efficacy. He talks about comfort zones and risks that vary greatly by individual and pattern of use. He recommends approaching one's use of cannabis with caution and informed decision making. "Listen to what we say about it and make your own good decisions," said Bailey.
Robbins stressed that cannabis addiction is real, but that the vast majority of cannabis consumers—including those who consume daily—are not addicted. To illustrate this belief, he cited the several times that he has had to cease consumption of marijuana due to a drug test for a job or health care. He also mentioned that many of his colleagues and friends have also had to cease cannabis consumption at many times during their adult lives for similar reasons and that none had experienced overtly negative or severe withdrawal side effects.
This weekly podcast is targeted at cannabis and hemp industry professionals and is strategically free of profanity and crude dialog. This audio session was edited for length and clarity.
Show Notes 🎧
Discussion article: Is Cannabis Addiction Real? A Research Review: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/is-cannabis-addictive-a-research-review
Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV
Visit Leafwize Naturals (Dena Putnam): https://leafwize.com
Visit the Mindset Genesis (John Bailey): https://www.themindsetgenesis.com/
Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/
Enroll in the course Core Cannabis: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis
Subscribe to the Higher Learning LV Deep Dive Series: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/deep-dive-subscriptions-now-available