Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the flower, leaves, seeds and stem of the Cannabis plant. It is used for medicinal and recreational purposes. A massive debate has been going on for years regarding the effects of marijuana; while some say that the drug has no harmful effects, others claim otherwise. Due to this ongoing debate, the laws regarding this drug are very different in each state of the US. Some states have legalized marijuana, others have this in the controlled substance list where only a particular quantity of it is allowed for medicinal purposes, while in some states the possession and use of marijuana is still illegal.

The U.S. states where marijuana is now legal are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

Street names or slangs for marijuana:

There are dozens of names marijuana is known by on the streets; some of the slangs for it are:

• Cannabis
• Pot
• Weed
• Herb
• Grass
• Mary Jane
• Ganja
• Dope
• Joint
• Reefer
• Blunt
• 420
• Stinkweed
• Burnie
• Blaze
• Buds
• Hay

Signs of marijuana addiction:

Marijuana addiction displays signs similar to other forms of addiction, which makes it easier to identify in a patient unless they are plagued by more than one such addiction. Some of the signs that pinpoint to a marijuana addiction are:

• Higher tolerance for marijuana due to regular use
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia and anxiety
• Consuming too much or too often
• Having trouble stopping or cutting down on the use of marijuana
• Spending too many resources such as time and money on getting high
• Social withdrawal and withdrawing from activities or events that do not involve marijuana
• Getting high despite knowing the consequences such as reduced productivity at work and souring relationships
• Using marijuana as a stress reliever, means of enjoyment or an escape from problems
• Having trouble fulfilling daily responsibilities due to the uncontrolled use of marijuana

Treatment options for marijuana addiction:

There are multiple treatments available for marijuana addiction today, the most popular and effective one being behavioural therapy. Behavioural therapy can include individual counselling sessions, partaking in activities in a support group, or both, depending on what the doctor feels is best for the afflicted person.

Aside from therapy, a doctor might also prescribe medication to the addict to help subdue their cravings for marijuana and to minimize the negative effects faced by the person. The dosage, compound and prescribed duration might vary depending on the condition of the patient and the treatment option he/she is undergoing.

In some extreme cases, where traditional marijuana addiction treatment options fail and a stricter approach needs to be taken, the patients might be admitted into rehab, to help break their addiction and to aid them in moving towards a healthier lifestyle.