Actress Sharon Stone recently detailed a severe health reaction she experienced after discontinuing marijuana use. Stone stated in a Variety interview that her decision to quit was motivated by a desire for a drug-free lifestyle. Upon stopping, she experienced significant illness that lasted for a month, leading her to seek medical attention from a neurologist.
Stone recounted her neurologist’s reaction, indicating the severity of her symptoms. "I went to my neurologist, and he said, ‘Sharon, I’ve had people dying in the emergency room from marijuana,’" she said, suggesting a potential for serious complications, though experts note cannabis withdrawal is generally not considered life-threatening.
She attributed her ordeal to the increased potency of contemporary cannabis products. "It’s not like you’re pulling it out of the ground anymore… It’s not like when we were kids," Stone commented. This sentiment is echoed by medical professionals who observe a substantial increase in THC levels in marijuana over the past decades.
Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the Lindner Center in Cincinnati, confirmed that modern cannabis products are significantly more potent than those from previous eras. He noted that THC levels have risen from approximately 3% to 5% in the 1980s to as high as 30% in current products, with concentrates sometimes exceeding 90% THC.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, higher THC concentrations have been associated with an increased risk of dependence, cannabis use disorder (CUD), psychosis in some individuals, and more severe withdrawal symptoms. CUD can develop when marijuana use begins to dominate the brain's reward pathways, fostering compulsive behavior.
Withdrawal from heavy, long-term cannabis use can manifest within 24 to 48 hours after cessation. Common symptoms include severe insomnia, intense irritability, anxiety, appetite loss, sweating, headaches, and stomach upset. While acute physical symptoms often subside within a month, psychological effects such as mood swings and sleep disturbances can persist longer, according to Tuell.
While cannabis withdrawal itself rarely necessitates hospitalization, individuals with pre-existing medical or mental health conditions, or those simultaneously withdrawing from other substances like alcohol or opioids, may benefit from medical supervision. Experts also suggest that underlying mental health issues often co-exist with cannabis use disorder, and addressing these conditions can aid in reducing problematic marijuana use.