National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse
Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding
Chapter III
Social Impact of marihuana use
Addiction Potential
Unfortunately, fact and fancy have become irrationally mixed regarding marihuana's
physiological and psychological properties. Marihuana clearly is not in the same chemical
category as heroin insofar as its physiologic and psychological effects are concerned. In
a word, cannabis does not lead to physical dependence. No torturous withdrawal syndrome
follows the sudden cessation of chronic, heavy use of marihuana. Although evidence
indicates that heavy, long-term cannabis users may develop psychological dependence, even
then the level of psychological dependence is no different from the syndrome of anxiety
and restlessness seen when an American stops smoking tobacco cigarettes.
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