How addictive is cannabis compared to other drugs?

Cannabis has a lower addiction potential than most other commonly used substances, but it is not non-addictive. Approximately 9% of people who ever use cannabis develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), compared to 15% for alcohol, 17% for cocaine, 23% for heroin, and 32% for nicotine. Risk is substantially higher for those who begin in adolescence (17%) and daily users (25–50%). The addictive potential has likely increased as average THC potency has risen from ~4% in the 1990s to 12–20%+ in current products. Cannabis does not produce the severe physical withdrawal of opioids or alcohol, but psychological dependence and craving are well-documented. The dopaminergic reward pathway is activated by THC via CB1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens — the same mechanism underlying other addictive substances.