The Northwest Herald recently reported that the number of users abusing or addicted to marijuana has increased from 30% to 35% between 1991 and 2002. Published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Statistics also indicate that marijuana is more potent now than in years past and the increased potency may be responsible for the increase in the number of marijuana disorders.
There is no age boundary when it comes to marijuana use according to Richard Atwater, counselor at Northwest Community Counseling Services who writes about addiction as a Northwest Herald columnist. He comes across 50-year-old housewives that are smoking pot every day, and ... junior high students that have just started using." Atwater also said that he believes marijuana can be psychologically addictive, meaning it is used repeatedly to cope with or deal with problems. “It becomes a way of thinking and a way of life.”
While some experts say there are few, if any, physical withdrawal symptoms that accompany marijuana addiction, it still is psychologically difficult to quit. Pat Owens, executive director of The Advantage Group says, "The drug becomes an immediate solution, so when they have to stop, they can't."