
Marijuana Addiction Self-Test: Am I Smoking Too Much Weed?
Knowing whether marijuana or other types of cannabis use has become a problem can be tricky. The situation can also be more challenging because in some places in the United States marijuana use is legal while in other states it is not. Your use may have developed into something more than just a casual activity, but even that can be further obscured by the legality or illegality of use. Like alcohol though, even “legal” use can ultimately lead to problems for some people. Taking our self-assessment will give you the opportunity to gain insight into the signs of potentially problematic marijuana use as well as the impact such marijuana use could have in your life. It’s not uncommon for addictive behaviors to go undetected or overlooked. By helping you to recognize already established or newly emerging patterns of problematic use, our quiz will hopefully help you make the decision to speak with a doctor or other treatment professional about compulsive marijuana use or addiction, as well as the treatment for such conditions.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana commonly refers to the dried flowers, leaves, seeds, and stems of the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains the psychoactive compound THC and other related cannabinoid compounds.1 Marijuana is perhaps most commonly smoked, though its psychoactive compounds may also be a component of foods or other edible products.1,2
Marijuana’s impact on perception and coordination can lead to significant impairments in learning, cognitive processing, and psychomotor skills, including driving abilities.2 Prolonged use of marijuana may lead to long-term physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued, and ultimately a marijuana addiction (marijuana use disorder).2
What are the Effects of Marijuana Use?
Using marijuana can have both short-term and long-term effects on the brain and body, many of them potentially harmful.
Short-term effects of marijuana use include:1,2
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Distorted sense of time.
- Problems with thinking, memory, and problem solving.
- Difficulty with coordination and balance.
- Anxiety.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Cardiovascular effects (e.g., an increased heart rate, increased blood pressure).
- Respiratory effects (e.g., coughing and other respiratory symptoms).
- Increased appetite.
Long-term effects of marijuana may include:1,2
- Impact on brain development in young people.
- Intense nausea and vomiting (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome).
- Chronic coughing.
- Increased risk of lung infection.
- Physical dependence and withdrawal.
- Cannabis use disorder (i.e., addiction).
These lists do not include all potential effects of marijuana; learn more about effects of marijuana use here.
How Much Marijuana is Too Much?
Like alcohol, in states where it is legal, marijuana is used by some people who don’t experience problematic issues with their use. However, others may ultimately develop issues with compulsive use and addiction.
Recent statistics show that marijuana use impacts people in all age groups. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 61.9 million people (22.0 percent) 12 and older used marijuana in the past year. The highest percentage of users was among those aged 18 to 25, with 13.3 million people (38.2 percent) using the substance. In the same year, 19 million people (6.7 percent) 12 and older had a marijuana use disorder, the medical diagnosis for marijuana addiction. The issue was most prevalent among 18 to 25 year-olds, with an estimated 16.5 percent of that age group struggling with a marijuana use disorder.3
While there may not be a set amount of marijuana that is considered “too much,” its use can begin to negatively impact the lives of some people. If you are asking yourself, “Do I use too much marijuana” because you’re worried about a potential addiction, you should consider taking our self-assessment to learn more about problematic patterns of marijuana use and marijuana use disorder, and ultimately speaking with someone about your treatment options.
What Are the Signs of Marijuana Addiction?
A substance use disorder (SUD) is characterized by an individual’s inability to stop or control their substance use despite negative consequences.4 Health professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose if someone has a cannabis use disorder.
This list is not exhaustive as there are additional diagnostic criteria for diagnosing a cannabis use disorder.
How to Get Help for Marijuana Addiction
If you’re struggling with a marijuana use disorder, it’s possible that you’ve tried to stop using marijuana before, but it can be very challenging to stop using. The important thing to know is that treatment can help.
In a marijuana rehab program, you’ll work with staff who will create a plan to help you get the treatment that you need. Treatment for a cannabis use disorder may include various levels of care, including inpatient addiction treatment, and outpatient drug and marijuana rehab programs.
If you’d like to start the treatment process, learn more about rehab, or verify your insurance, call our free, confidential helpline at to speak with a caring American Addiction Centers admissions navigator. You can find a rehab near you using our online directories tool. You can also easily verify your insurance online to check your health insurance coverage for treatment.