Replying to a Major Publications Article on Weed

An individual holding a written report next to a laptop

Written by, Param D.

Today an article called “Review of Medical Cannabis Use Finds Little Evidence of Benefit” that was published by a major news outlet. I started to read the comments, many of which denied  that weed could be addictive or harmful. It prompted me to write a comment of my own.

“I’m a weed addict. It’s not a joke, but I don’t mind if you laugh. I appreciate this article.

It took a few years of trying to quit unsuccessfully before I realized that I needed help to do so. I’m grateful that my psychiatrist took my inability to quit seriously, and encouraged me to seek help for addiction. Chronic bronchitis and driving my child around stoned were my reasons to quit.

Like many other addicts, I find that attending 12-step meetings through Marijuana Anonymous is crucial to maintaining my abstinence from weed. I have found that the condition that I was trying to treat with weed (anxiety) only improved after quitting and detoxing from heavy marijuana use. Surveys report alcohol use is down. I suspect that many drinkers are switching to weed. As marijuana use increases, we will see more incidences of people trying to quit who cannot do so. We will see more instances of CHS (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome). As with other substances and addictive behaviors, marijuana use can be fine and healthy for some folks, but for others it crosses over into compulsive and obsessive use.”

Published in A New Leaf – April 2026

More Articles

  • There Was A Reason

    Written By, David L. I started using at 16. As soon as I got my own stash, my addiction began. It started as my nightly routine, helping me to escape my anxieties and calm my mind. Deep, relaxing sleeps turned into obsessive use… smoking joints on the way to school, avoiding my parents to hide…

    There Was A Reason
  • Are you?

    Written by, Callie B. Are you awake?Are you here?We only have moments to spare…Are you aware of being aware?Wherever you are, are you there?Are you paying close attention?Is your attention intentional? Are you always running?Is your patience,thin, dull, dwelling?Is it drained, gone, numbing?Are you chasing it or is it chasing you? Are you afraid, and…

    Are you?
  • Freed from Weed

    Written by, Ari K. Freed from Weed(Sobriety freed my mind from substance slavery.)Addicted to WEED?I was indeed.  Now I’m FREE! Now I go my way more consciouslyParts of my spirit are more grounded, see?The scope of the world widened when Iet go.I can’t manage now,I can however grow. Things I didn’t expect have arrived,gifts given…

    Freed from Weed
  • Break Up Letter

    Written By, Andrea F. (Note: This was written 4 1/2 months into my sobriety) Dear Marijuana, This is my letter to you from when I first gave you up 4 1/2 months into my sobriety. As I’m coming up on my 4 year anniversary on August 23rd, 2025, I’m looking back at all the reasons…

    Break Up Letter
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” Published in A New Leaf – September 2025

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Onward Sober Soldiers

    Written by, Anonymous I am engaged in a war with a beast that lives inside of me. It is old, born in the garden of Eden, enslaving all addicts. It is no coincidence that the Jewish holiday of Passover fell while I was detoxing, for this holiday celebrates the release of Jews from slavery. I…

    Onward Sober Soldiers