THC has many medical benefits and is the primary intoxicating compound in the plant. This effect can be pleasant for some people, and with low doses of THC, a person can expect to experience an improved sense of wellbeing. Higher doses can lead to a euphoria or being “stoned” and very high doses can cause anxiety and paranoia. Some people do not like feeling altered and would rather not experience it. The “high”  and anxiety can be avoided by using varieties of cannabis that contain CBD. Addiction Is Related To THC For those who enjoy the euphoric high, using cannabis in large amounts and over an extended period of time can create dependency and  addiction. The risk of addiction from cannabis is about 9%, vs. the risk for alcohol addiction at 15%, cocaine at 17%, heroin at 23%, and nicotine at 32%.  The group most at risk of becoming addicted are young men between the ages of 18 and 25 years who use cannabis for recreational purposes. Other substances that are more highly additive than cannabis include: amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and prescription opioids. Less Addictive Than Coffee Cannabis works best at low to moderate doses and when doses are limited to just enough to alleviate symptoms, addiction is very unlikely to occur.