A central concern in the rescheduling debate is the risk of addiction and abuse associated with cannabis. Critics of rescheduling often cite the potential for cannabis to be habit-forming, particularly when used in high doses or over long periods.
Research on cannabis addiction and abuse is ongoing, with studies indicating varying levels of risk. Factors such as age of first use, frequency of use, and the potency of cannabis products can influence the likelihood of developing problematic use patterns.
Understanding the risk of addiction and abuse is critical for informing both public health policies and individual treatment approaches. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides comprehensive research and information on the topic, accessible at NIDA.nih.gov.
