Acting Clinical Coordinator at Pantang Hospital, Dr. Julius Xatse, says although cannabis is addictive, it is not as difficult to quit as some other hard drugs.

According to him, unlike the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol which includes tremors and seizures, the withdrawal symptoms of cannabis are not life-threatening.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Wednesday, he listed some minor symptoms such as loss of appetite or sleep, which can both be managed.

“For weed, usually stopping it is not much of a problem for the users except for their appetite, or their feeding. Sometimes a few nausea here and there but it’s not something that is so fatal,” he said.

In addition to the withdrawal symptoms, Dr. Xatse emphasised that cannabis use can, however, have lasting effects on a person's mental health, even after they have stopped using it.

According to him, one of the major mental illness associated with smoking weed is schizophrenia.

He stated that people who smoke weed sometimes get delusional and start talking to themselves.

“So you realise that most people who smoke weed tend to say deep things. They feel it’s the weed that is making them deep.

“They feel bigger than everyone else but at the end of the day as they keep doing it, they will tell you they have some experiences which are not normal.

“They will place the emphasis on how much they are able to understand things and learn more, especially for those who are in the secondary schools and universities. This is just their way of trying to get their friends and others to join them,” he said.

His comment follows the premiere of JoyNews’ latest documentary, ‘Creative Addictions’ which sheds lights on drug use among celebrities and its side effects.