In an era of expanding cannabis legalization, many people assume marijuana can't be addictive. Yet cannabis use disorder is a recognized diagnosis affecting millions, and Marijuana Anonymous exists specifically for those who have found that marijuana has become a problem they cannot control on their own.
For recovery professionals, understanding MA helps serve clients struggling with cannabis—a population that may face skepticism about their addiction and limited specialized resources.
What is Marijuana Anonymous?
Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share experience, strength, and hope to help each other recover from marijuana addiction. Founded in 1989, MA adapted the Twelve Steps specifically for marijuana addiction, providing a space where members can address their cannabis use without justifying that it's "really" a problem.
MA's First Step states: "We admitted we were powerless over marijuana—that our lives had become unmanageable."
MA welcomes anyone who wants to stop using marijuana, regardless of whether they also use other substances. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana.
The Reality of Marijuana Addiction
MA exists because marijuana addiction is real, despite cultural narratives suggesting otherwise. The experience of MA members includes:
- Failed attempts to cut down or control use
- Using more than intended
- Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from marijuana
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect)
- Withdrawal symptoms (irritability, sleep disruption, anxiety, appetite changes)
- Loss of interest in activities that don't involve marijuana
- Using to avoid uncomfortable emotions
These experiences align with the diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder in the DSM-5, which recognizes mild, moderate, and severe forms of the condition.
The MA Program
MA uses the Twelve Steps adapted for marijuana:
- We admitted we were powerless over marijuana—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to marijuana addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Key MA Concepts
Marijuana addiction is real – MA provides a space where members don't have to prove their addiction is legitimate. Everyone there understands from personal experience.
Complete abstinence – MA's goal is abstinence from marijuana. The program doesn't support "moderation" approaches to cannabis use.
Abstinence from all mind-altering substances – Like NA, MA encourages abstinence from all mind-altering substances, not just marijuana.
"Marijuana maintenance" doesn't work – Many members tried switching from other drugs to "just marijuana"—MA recognizes this doesn't resolve addiction.
MA Meeting Culture
MA meetings follow standard Twelve Step formats:
Speaker meetings – One member shares their story of marijuana addiction and recovery.
Discussion meetings – Topic-based sharing about marijuana addiction and recovery.
Step study – Working through the Twelve Steps.
Literature meetings – Reading and discussing MA materials.
Meeting Characteristics
Validation – For many members, MA is the first place they've felt validated about marijuana being a genuine problem.
Cannabis-specific focus – Discussion centers on marijuana specifically—the culture, the rituals, the particular experience of cannabis addiction.
Often younger demographic – Marijuana addiction often manifests earlier in life; MA meetings may skew younger than AA.
Variable culture by location – Meeting culture varies significantly by area.
Sponsorship
MA uses sponsorship like other Twelve Step programs. Sponsors guide members through the steps and provide ongoing support. For cannabis-specific issues—like the mythology that marijuana is harmless—having a sponsor who understands marijuana addiction is particularly valuable.
Who Benefits from MA?
People whose primary drug is marijuana – Those whose cannabis use is the central problem often feel more identification in MA than NA.
People seeking validation – Those who've been told marijuana isn't addictive may find MA's explicit recognition valuable.
People who've tried to quit marijuana and failed – MA provides community and tools for those who've discovered they can't quit on willpower alone.
People transitioning from other substances to marijuana – Those who thought "just marijuana" was the solution but found it became its own problem.
People wanting marijuana-specific fellowship – Hearing others share about specifically marijuana-related experiences provides identification.
Who Might Look Elsewhere?
People whose marijuana use is secondary – Someone whose primary issue is alcohol or opioids might find AA or NA more relevant.
People in areas without MA meetings – MA has far fewer meetings than AA or NA. Online meetings help, but local options may be limited.
People uncomfortable with spiritual approaches – MA shares the Twelve Step spiritual framework, which doesn't suit everyone.
People questioning whether they have a problem – MA is for people who have decided they want to stop. Those still questioning might benefit from professional assessment first.
MA vs. NA
Clients sometimes wonder whether MA or NA is the better fit:
Marijuana Anonymous
- Marijuana-specific focus
- Everyone there understands marijuana addiction specifically
- Smaller fellowship with fewer meetings
- Validation that marijuana addiction is real
Narcotics Anonymous
- Broader focus on addiction generally
- Much larger fellowship with many more meetings
- Welcomes marijuana addicts along with all other drug users
- More diverse membership
Some people attend both. The choice depends on what identification the client needs and what's available locally.
Addressing Skepticism
Clients struggling with marijuana often face skepticism—from friends, family, and even professionals. This can be addressed:
For the client – Validate their experience. If they've tried to stop and can't, if marijuana is causing problems in their life, their addiction is real regardless of what others think.
For skeptical others – Cannabis use disorder is a recognized diagnosis. Psychological dependence is addiction; physical withdrawal isn't the sole criterion.
In treatment – Take marijuana addiction seriously. Clients may have experienced dismissiveness; a professional who takes their struggle seriously can be transformative.
MA and Cannabis Legalization
Legalization has complicated marijuana addiction recovery in several ways:
Access – Legal availability makes abstinence harder than when obtaining marijuana required illegal activity.
Normalization – Cultural messaging that marijuana is harmless conflicts with the experience of those addicted.
Potency – Legal marijuana is often much stronger than older cannabis, potentially accelerating addiction.
Medical marijuana – Clients may struggle with the line between medical use and addiction.
MA's message remains the same: for people who can't control their marijuana use, abstinence is the solution, regardless of legal status.
Practical Information for Professionals
Finding Meetings
MA's meeting finder is at marijuana-anonymous.org. Meeting availability is limited:
- Some urban areas have meetings
- Many areas have no local MA presence
- Online meetings significantly expand access
When to Suggest MA
Consider MA when:
- Marijuana is the client's primary substance
- Client has tried to quit marijuana and failed
- Client wants marijuana-specific fellowship
- Client feels invalidated about marijuana addiction
- MA meetings exist locally or client is open to online meetings
Assessment for Cannabis Use Disorder
Screen for cannabis use disorder when clients present with:
- Difficulty reducing or controlling marijuana use
- Significant time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from marijuana
- Cravings for marijuana
- Use despite negative consequences
- Tolerance or withdrawal
- Reduced activities due to marijuana use
The Evidence Base
Research on MA specifically is limited, but cannabis use disorder is well-established. Treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and motivational enhancement. MA provides peer support that complements these evidence-based approaches.
Help Your Clients Find MA Meetings Near Them
SobaSearch maintains a specialized database focused on key locations of MA (Marijuana Anonymous) meetings across the United States. Enter a zip code to find meetings in your client's area.
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