Developing cannabis use disorder (CUD) is common in Washington state, even among medical marijuana users.
The study was led by Gwen Lapham, an assistant professor at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.
CUD is defined by symptoms like craving weed, tolerance, using more than intended, problems in life, high-risk use, withdrawal, and inability to quit.
Medical and recreational cannabis use together leads to more severe addiction compared to using medical marijuana alone.
The research surveyed around 110,000 patients in Washington State and focused on those who reported cannabis use within the past 30 days.
The study found that frequent marijuana use is a significant risk factor for developing CUD.
Non-medical cannabis users were at a greater risk of moderate to severe CUD.
There are no FDA-approved medications to treat CUD; behavior-based treatments and addiction centers are recommended.
Untreated CUD can lead to mental disorders, cognitive deficits, use of psychiatric services, hospitalization, and violent behavior.