Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is legal for adults aged 21 and older in 37 states, but it is still an illegal substance according to federal law.
The legalization of medical marijuana makes it easier for people to access the drug. As with any psychoactive substance, some people can use marijuana without harmful consequences, and some people cannot. If the use of marijuana and other drugs causes harm in your life, contact Solution Based Treatment & Detox by calling 833.999.1941 to begin healing from the effects of drug addiction with our marijuana addiction treatment.
What Does Marijuana Legalization Mean?
Only time will tell if the United States will follow other countries’ footsteps and fully legalize marijuana, making it as easily accessible as alcohol or tobacco products. It’s a hot topic in the U.S. right now and is especially so among political candidates at the state and national levels.
What it means to legalize the use of cannabis is that no criminal charges can be brought against you for the production, distribution, possession, or consumption of the drug. It also means that regulations must be set around the commercialization of cannabis and its consumption. The federal government first made marijuana illegal with the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 updated the Marihuana Tax Act. Since then, marijuana is still considered a “Schedule I” controlled substance, the same as heroin and LSD.
While marijuana is still considered illegal on a federal level, more and more states are individually legalizing it. This is because in 2013, the United States Justice Department said it wouldn’t interfere if states wanted to try and pass laws legalizing cannabis, as long as the states set specific regulations. This is also known as the “Cole Memo”.
The regulations outlined in the Cole Memo are:
- Preventing the distribution of cannabis to minors
- Preventing cannabis revenue from funding criminal enterprises, gangs, or cartels
- Preventing cannabis from moving out of states where it is legal
- Preventing the use of state-legal cannabis sales as a cover for illegal activity
- Preventing violence and use of firearms in growing or distributing cannabis
- Preventing drugged driving and other adverse public health consequences associated with cannabis use
- Preventing the growth of cannabis on public lands
- Preventing cannabis possession or use of the drug on federal property (national parks, government property, etc.)
Treatment for Marijuana Addiction
Once addicted, people try to quit marijuana on their own, but it’s hard to do. The process requires the support of family, friends, and medical professionals. At SBT, we offer a holistic treatment approach to addiction that includes :
- Medical detox
- A rehabilitation treatment program
- Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT)
- Recovery activities
- Group therapy
- Peer support groups
- Aftercare
Some of the unique recovery activities we are able to offer as part of inpatient and outpatient treatment include:
- Local peer support groups
- Rock to Recovery, a music-based recovery program
- Relapse Prevention program
- Building on the Rock, a faith-based recovery program
SBT Offers Marijuana Addiction Treatment & Detox
Experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco is not uncommon. The problem becomes when the use of the substance gets out of control. If you are consuming too much of any drug or alcohol and it starts to affect your work at your job or school, relationships with friends and family, and your overall health, then it’s time to get help. While marijuana legalization continues to evolve, it’s still an addictive substance. People become addicted easily to prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products every day too.
If you or a loved one are struggling with marijuana addiction, regardless of its legality, contact our drug treatment team today at 833.999.1941 to see how we can help.