Marijuana Anonymous does not endorse the author of "A Doctor's Opinion about Marijuana Addiction" or his employer. The medical opinion presented is based on the doctor's research and clinical experience as of 2015 and should not be construed as the last word on the subject of marijuana addiction. Marijuana Anonymous is not affiliated with any foundation, institution, or other organization and has no opinion on outside issues.

A Doctor's Opinion about Marijuana Addiction

Marvin D. Seppala, MD

I hope that this brief writing may provide those who are seeking help a general understanding of the disease of addiction, and some specific aspects of marijuana addiction.

Many people say that marijuana is not addicting, but this is simply not accurate. People do become addicted to marijuana, just as they do to alcohol, opioids and stimulants. Marijuana addiction differs from these other types of addictions primarily by the outward or social manifestations, but internally, the same pain and anguish exist.

Marijuana addiction is much less socially visible than alcoholism or heroin addiction, in which one can easily witness problems such as driving under the influence or development of serious infections like HIV or hepatitis. The other drugs tend to cause more obvious problems when addiction takes hold.

Studies show that about 9% of those who use marijuana become addicted to it. The unfortunate truth is that the lack of serious, early consequences to marijuana addiction allow for a long, slow decline, often without recognition, resulting in later-stage addiction before the problem is confronted. An individual may wake up years into this chronic illness, without a reasonable understanding of how their life got so far off track. Often one has no major medical or legal problems, no sudden tragedy that drives the search for an answer. However, isolation from friends and family, loss of interest and lack of participation in those activities that used to bring joy, and the crushing weight of missed opportunities add up. If this is where you find yourself, you are reading the right book. . .

From the book Life with Hope - A Return to Living Through the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions of Marijuana Anonymous

Learn more about MA: marijuana-anonymous.org

Order your copy: A New Leaf Publications

Call into MA meetings by phone: ma-phone.org/

Joseph's 11-13-21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Tiffany's 11-06-21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Practicality Paul's 10-31-21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Brad's SNL 10-23-2021 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Rachel's SNL 10 10 21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Laura's SNL 10 10 21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Laura's share SNL 5 18 19 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about MA: marijuana-anonymous.org/ Call into MA meetings by phone: ma-phone.org/

"MA Preamble (https://marijuana-anonymous.org/literature/life-with-hope/life-with-hope-book/preamble/)

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a marijuana addict? (https://marijuana-anonymous.org/literature/life-with-hope/life-with-hope-book/who-is-a-marijuana-addict/)

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Stop smoking weed • Quit smoking pot • Cannabis addiction

Paulo's share SNL 10 2 21 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope

Eric's share SNL 8 24 19 lead at MAWPM's "Saturday Night Live" meeting.

Learn more about Marijuana Anonymous

MA Meetings by Phone

Search for a MA Meeting

Marijuana Anonymous Preamble

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our Twelve Traditions.

Marijuana Anonymous uses the basic 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven that the 12 Step Recovery program works!

Who is a Marijuana Addict?

We who are marijuana addicts know the answer to this question. Marijuana controls our lives! We lose interest in all else; our dreams go up in smoke. Ours is a progressive illness often leading us to addictions to other drugs, including alcohol. Our lives, our thinking, and our desires center around marijuana—scoring it, dealing it, and finding ways to stay high."

Why Marijuana Anonymous?

• Stop Smoking Weed 

• Quit Smoking Pot 

• Cannabis/THC Addiction 

For a copy of our basic text and 12 Step Workbook: Life with Hope