Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a clinical diagnosis with specific criteria — not to be confused with heavy cannabis use, which refers to how much or how often someone uses cannabis. CUD is how that use affects a person’s life, functioning, and ability to stop, even when problems appear. Heavy use alone does not equal addiction. Some people use cannabis frequently without meeting criteria for CUD, while others develop CUD with comparatively lower levels of use. The distinction matters because it shifts the focus from moral judgment (“too much”) to functional impact (“is this harming me?”). According to the DSM-5-TR, it’s diagnosed when a person shows a pattern of cannabis use leading to significant impairment or distress, such as loss of control over use, persistent cravings, continued use despite harm, or withdrawal symptoms when stopping. CUD exists on a spectrum — mild, moderate, or severe — based on the number of symptoms present.