I have, however, been pilloried with such accusations for writing about the very real issue of cannabis addiction. Cannabis addiction is qualitatively different from a heroin addiction, for example, insofar as it is much less intense and not directly life-threatening. Clearing up misconceptionsMy particular focus on cannabis addiction is not meant to undermine or negate the potential benefits of cannabis, but rather it is a reflection of my role as a clinical psychologist who has researched and treated people with cannabis addiction for over 10 years. Last month, I published a piece for Slate about cannabis addiction and was inundated with responses containing a multitude of misconceptions: that cannabis addiction is purely psychological, that cannabis withdrawal is not real, that only those with addictive personalities are susceptible and that cannabis addiction as a phenomenon does not exist at all. For those who believe that cannabis addiction is not real: I encourage you to take a tour of an addiction treatment program.

Source: CBC News August 18, 2018 08:00 UTC