Not as beneficial as thought: researchers have found a side effect of medical marijuana.

A recent study by scientists has revealed that individuals using marijuana for medical purposes have a risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD) that is not lower, and potentially greater, than those who use it recreationally. Thus, while intended to aid in the treatment of various disorders and illnesses, it can also lead to serious addiction, reports UPI.

The research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry and led by Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, analyzed data from a federal survey on drug use and health conducted in 2021-2022.

The study examined responses from nearly 73,000 adults who reported cannabis use, finding that about 84% used it recreationally, 9% for medical purposes, and approximately 6% for both. Researchers discovered that around 35% of all cannabis users participating in the survey met the criteria for CUD — a condition characterized by an inability to stop using the drug despite negative medical and social consequences.

According to Dr. Volkow's team, these findings suggest that medical cannabis use is not associated with a reduced risk of addiction compared to non-medical use, as previously thought. The data indicated that medical marijuana users are inclined to consume the drug even more frequently.

For instance, men aged 18 to 24 who used cannabis for medical reasons reported an average of 217 days of use per year, compared to 212 days for those using it for both medical and recreational purposes, and 154 days for those using it solely recreationally.

This frequent use may contribute to a higher prevalence of cannabis use disorders among medical users, the authors noted. Additionally, the study found that severe forms of CUD were more common among medical users across different age groups, particularly among young individuals aged 18 to 34.

This distinction was especially pronounced among young men. Among men aged 18 to 34, 14% of medical users and 13% of medical/recreational users had severe CUD, compared to 8% of recreational users. Similarly, among women in the same age group, 7% of medical users and 12% of medical/recreational users faced severe CUD, compared to 6% of those using it recreationally.

In older age groups, these patterns were less pronounced, and the differences in CUD prevalence based on usage type were smaller. The study emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to carefully assess potential addiction risks when recommending medical cannabis. The authors advise doctors to monitor signs of CUD in patients using the drug for therapeutic purposes.

The study's results align with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicating that approximately 3 out of 10 cannabis users develop CUD. Furthermore, researchers found that frequent cannabis use may lead to symptoms of dependence, including withdrawal syndrome, cravings for marijuana, and difficulties in controlling its use. This raises questions about how medical cannabis is prescribed and monitored in practice, especially given its increasing popularity in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions.

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