Cannabis is the most consumed illegal drug worldwide. While there are sectors of society that have demonized its consumption in the war on drugs, other sectors have idealized it excessively.
When it comes to cannabis, nothing is black and white and no professional with half a brain and an eye on scientific evidence doubts that cannabis is not a harmless substance.
In this article, I am going to review Some of the most common excuses made by people who smoke marijuana to justify its consumption (which in many cases can be addictive).
1. It is healthier than tobacco
Many regular marijuana smokers speak proudly of their consumption. They compare themselves to people who smoke tobacco, and they boast that they are better off than them
Unfortunately, this false reputation as a “natural and harmless product” that cannabis has acquired over the years thanks to certain lobbies, means that many people live deceived and hooked for years.
It is true that by smoking marijuana you are less likely to develop lung cancer than by smoking tobacco. But many studies affirm that continued marijuana use is related to some respiratory illnesses, as well as mental illnesses, such as psychotic symptoms or anxiety.
But this is something that does not interest a regular cannabis consumer. It is more comfortable to continue fooling yourself into thinking that what you are smoking is totally healthy
Also, interestingly, many cannabis smokers who claim not to smoke tobacco… are indeed smoking tobacco. When rolling joints, they mix marijuana with rolling tobacco. Although they consume smaller amounts of tobacco than people who smoke pack cigarettes, they are developing an addiction to nicotine, in addition to psychological dependence on marijuana.
Therefore, Cannabis is not a “healthy substitute” for tobacco It can be equally or more dangerous.
2. They don’t smoke much
It is very common among people with addictive behaviors or some type of substance dependence to minimize their consumption or the impact of their behaviors.
That is, it may seem very obvious to people around you that the person is consuming too often or too high amounts. But The person who has developed a dependency will tend to evaluate “downwardly” what they consume
As a psychologist, I have received emails from people telling me that “they don’t smoke much”, and right after writing to me that they smoked 3 or 4 joints every day. As a professional addiction specialist, I can safely say that this is a lot.
Perception is altered, even without being directly under the effects of the substance. Over time, As the person has developed tolerance to the substance, their consumption has also escalated from something sporadic to weekly or even daily consumption.
At a certain point, the person considers this behavior “normal,” which contributes to being more trapped by dependency.
3. Schizophrenia or anxiety happens to others
It is true that not all marijuana smokers will develop psychotic symptoms or schizophrenia. It depends on many factors, with a great weight of the person’s genetic background, among many others
However, many cannabis consumers and the lobbies that profit from its consumption minimize the existing risks and ignore the scientific and clinical evidence that shows that marijuana consumption is not harmless, and can bring unpleasant consequences in some cases.
It is very similar to what happens with alcohol or tobacco. Consumers know perfectly well that what they are doing is bad for their health and the health of others But they choose to look the other way, not being prepared for such an uncomfortable truth.
4. It helps them relax
The truth is, in the long term, cannabis can do everything but relax you. It is quite possible that just the opposite.
By developing tolerance to the effects of the substance, the consumer needs increasingly larger doses of the substance to enjoy the same effects as before
That is to say, the person who regularly smokes marijuana will find it increasingly difficult to achieve that state of relaxation they were looking for.
And this will not only happen when smoking. Many people who have ended up going to therapy have said that they had been experiencing strong daily anxiety for some time, and that They felt unable to relax unless they smoked large amounts
This does not benefit the person who smokes, only the person selling the substance.
5. They believe they can quit smoking whenever they want
This could be the most common and most paradoxical excuse for people with cannabis dependence. When someone suggests that they may be developing a problem, The person with an addiction frames the situation as if they still have “control” over the consumption That if he continues smoking, it is because he wants to, not because he is hooked.
However, when you try to help these people confront reality and realize that, coincidentally, they never find the time to quit smoking, they respond that “they have nothing to prove.”
In this type of situation, Pride and the illusion of control can stand between a person and their recovery
It can help a person a lot to ask themselves what makes them put off quitting smoking so much. You might realize that you have no control, but need.
Do you want to quit marijuana?
I am a psychologist specializing in addictions, and I have been helping people get rid of drugs for good for years. If you or someone close to you is having problems with cannabis, contact me. You can see more information about how I work, and my contact information, on this page.
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
