The Marihuana Habit

To the Editor.— As a continuous observer of the abused drug scene over the past 15 years, it has intrigued me to watch the continuously changing pattern of drug misuse.1-3 Within the past year I have noted in patients in my private practice and elsewhere a significant shift in the use of marihuana among certain percentage of those involved with drugs. Although it has frequently been stated professionally and in the press that marihuana is not physically addicting, whatever that means, I have noted an increasing number of patients recently who have come to me strictly for relief of amarihuana habit. In their view, they have felt a compulsion. You may call it psychological if you wish, but as far as I am concerned, it is a considerably stronger and urgent force. It is my impression at this point that probably 10% to 20% of those who use