Megan Feller smoked marijuana several times a day and found she couldn’t eat, sleep, or function without it. At the time, she didn’t think she needed help. “I didn’t think cannabis was a big deal,” the 24-year-old told the AP. “It was really socially accepted.”
That mindset has become increasingly common. As more states legalize marijuana, everyday use has grown more normalized, and many products now contain far higher levels of THC—often 40% or more, compared with less than 5% in the 1960s. Despite this, fewer people who struggle with heavy use are seeking treatment.
In 2022, nearly 18 million Americans reported daily or near-daily marijuana use, a figure that now outpaces daily alcohol consumption. Studies have also documented a rise in cannabis use disorder, a condition marked by cravings and persistent use despite clear negative effects. Researchers estimate that roughly three out of ten marijuana users experience some level of this disorder, which can range from mild to severe. And it is an addiction, despite the misconception that marijuana cannot be addictive, says Dr. Smita Das, an addiction psychiatrist at Stanford University.
The growing social acceptance of cannabis has also made some people hesitant to seek help. While marijuana is less dangerous than many other substances, heavy or frequent use has been linked to issues with learning, memory, and attention. Those who smoke it may face lung problems, and some users experience chronic nausea and vomiting. For people with certain genetic risk factors, marijuana use has also been connected to earlier onset of psychosis.
Access to the drug has expanded too. Feller first tried marijuana at age 16 and quickly moved from smoking the plant to using discreet vape cartridges. Before long, she found she could barely function without it. “I would wake up every morning for years, and until I smoked weed, I would throw up,” she said.
She eventually sought treatment and has now been sober for nearly a year. “I’m so much happier now,” she said.
But research shows that fewer people are taking that step. One national study found that the share of individuals receiving treatment for cannabis use disorder dropped from 19% in 2003 to 13% in 2019. Other research has noted similar declines, pointing to expanding legalization and increasingly tolerant public attitudes as major factors.