Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies released the following statement in response to the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open (JAMA) study showing 21% of recreational cannabis users struggle with cannabis use disorder (CUD) after cannabis became legal.
According to the National Health Institute, clinicians characterize cannabis use disorder as a problematic use of cannabis. Common symptoms include:
- A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use.
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain cannabis, use cannabis, or recover from its effects.
- Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use cannabis.
According to the study, recreational cannabis users experienced a more severe form of CUD whereas the disorder was still problematic but less severe in medical users.
This study was conducted in Washington State where recreational marijuana is legal.
Statement From Chairman Harris:
“For decades, numerous studies have shown the negative impact regular recreational marijuana use has on the human brain and body, but these studies have been ignored by lawmakers, including those in Maryland, who pushed to legalize recreational cannabis without enough scientific research. As I have long said, the American public deserves to know the effect modern marijuana has on the human body before it is legalized for recreational use.”
