Do you have cannabis use disorder?
In the pot-loving late 1960s, a Gallup poll found that only around 4% of Americans over age 18 had ever tried smoking marijuana. Things have changed. In 2024, 26% of men and 21% of women said they used cannabis sometime that year. And that number jumps to 30% of guys and gals who are 21 to 34 years old. One survey even revealed that more than 30% of Ohioans say they use marijuana just before or while driving to work!
Unfortunately, cannabis has as much (or even more) potential for abuse as alcohol. A study in JAMA Psychiatry found that almost 10% of guys and 6% of women who use cannabis say they have symptoms of moderate-to-severe cannabis use disorder (CUD). That adds up to 19.4 million Americans struggling with the condition.
The Cleveland Clinic says that signs you have CUD include not fulfilling responsibilities at home or work; continuing cannabis even if it triggers physical or psychological problems; tolerance for and need for ever more use of cannabis; and experiencing withdrawal symptoms or cravings that are relieved by using cannabis.
In addition, if you have CUD and smoke a lot, you have four times the risk of lung cancer as someone who doesn't smoke pot -- and it happens in a younger population than most lung cancer cases.
Tip: Need help stopping? There's marijuana-anonymous.org. And if you're in the 12% of folks 50 and older who use cannabis, check out my upcoming book "YOU: Getting Older: The Owner's Manual for Your Golden Years."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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