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Limited access to cannabis-based medicines in Norway is driving users toward the black market. Access is also restricted to only a few patient groups. The most common reasons people give for self-medicating with cannabis are struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, ADHD, or PTSD. Users report that cannabis relieves pain, lifts their mood, and provides a break from burdensome symptoms.
Cannabis
Cannabis is the most used illicit substance in Norway. About one in four Norwegians report having tried cannabis. Most users consume it recreationally, and use is usually rare and occasional. The risk of becoming dependent on cannabis is moderate: about 1 in 10 who try cannabis are vulnerable to developing a dependency. The likelihood increases the younger a person is at the time of first use — especially if they try cannabis before the age of 15, when about 1 in 6 are vulnerable to developing dependence.
Cannabis is the most used illicit substance in Norway. About one in four Norwegians report having tried cannabis. Most users consume it recreationally, and use is usually rare and occasional. The risk of becoming dependent on cannabis is moderate: about 1 in 10 who try cannabis are vulnerable to developing a dependency. The likelihood increases the younger a person is at the time of first use — especially if they try cannabis before the age of 15, when about 1 in 6 are vulnerable to developing dependence.
Cannabis-based Medicine
Although most people who try cannabis use it only occasionally, we know that the largest share of cannabis sales comes from a smaller group of frequent users. Normal Norway has conducted a survey to gather knowledge about cannabis users, where most respondents reported frequent use, and one third said they use cannabis as a form of self-medication. Many thus cite medical reasons for their use, but do not have a prescription for cannabis-based medicine. This group turns to the black market to obtain cannabis, as it is difficult to get a prescription for cannabis-based medicine in Norway. Prescriptions are reserved for a narrow patient group such as cancer patients, people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and those with chronic pain. Even for these groups, it is difficult to obtain a prescription and, for those who do, the medicine is very expensive. Somewhere between 200 and 300 people in Norway currently have a prescription for cannabis-based medicine.
It is possible for patients to travel abroad and legally bring home cannabis-based medicine if they receive a prescription in a country that is part of the Schengen Agreement, but this is resource-demanding and costly. Access to cannabis-based medicine in Norway must therefore be described as very limited. |
Chronic Pain and Mental Health
The conditions most users report self-medicating with cannabis for are chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, depression, and PTSD. Studies have shown that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — the active compound associated with the intoxicating effect of cannabis — can, for some, provide pain relief comparable to certain opiates and opioids commonly used to treat chronic pain. However, THC is less addictive and causes fewer serious side effects for most people. As a pain medication, THC can therefore be just as effective for some as more addictive substances, but with lower risks associated with its use.
The conditions most users report self-medicating with cannabis for are chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, depression, and PTSD. Studies have shown that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — the active compound associated with the intoxicating effect of cannabis — can, for some, provide pain relief comparable to certain opiates and opioids commonly used to treat chronic pain. However, THC is less addictive and causes fewer serious side effects for most people. As a pain medication, THC can therefore be just as effective for some as more addictive substances, but with lower risks associated with its use.
Cannabis can thus help increase the ability to relax in a daily life otherwise marked by intrusive painful memories.
Cannabis use to relieve anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD has been studied less, but as mentioned, many users in Norway and abroad report that they use cannabis to self-medicate for these conditions. One theory is that users turn to cannabis to disconnect from distressing or painful symptoms — the intoxicating effect brings a sense of well-being and helps them feel more relaxed in both mind and body. ADHD is also known to be linked to anxiety and depression, which may explain why some prefer cannabis to ease ADHD symptoms. It is also possible that CBD (cannabidiol), another active compound in cannabis, increases the ability to concentrate and focus, but more research is needed to confirm this.
PTSD
PTSD is linked to physical symptoms and conditions such as gastrointestinal problems and fibromyalgia. The use of cannabis to live with post-traumatic stress disorder may possibly be explained by the fact that THC relieves physical pain symptoms, while the intoxicating effect helps to disconnect and perhaps also forget recurring traumatic memories — at least while the effect lasts. Cannabis can therefore contribute to a greater ability to relax in a daily life otherwise marked by intrusive painful memories and a body in constant high-alert mode, which is extremely exhausting. |
Those who struggle with pain, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD also often experience sleep-related challenges. Sleep problems and lack of sleep worsen negative symptoms, which in turn reduce quality of life and coping ability. That cannabis use helps some people fall asleep may also explain why certain individuals in this group self-medicate with cannabis.
It is not easy to know whether one has an underlying vulnerability to addiction or psychosis.
Risikoer
Det er viktig å nevne at selv om cannabis for de aller fleste er lite skadelig og forbundet med liten risiko, spesielt sporadisk bruk, så er det en liten andel av befolkningen som skal være forsiktig med cannabisbruk, og da særlig hyppig/daglig bruk. Personer med underliggende sårbarhet for psykoselidelse er en gruppe som særlig bør være forsiktig med cannabisbruk.
Det er ikke lett å vite om en har en underliggende sårbarhet for verken avhengighet eller psykose før en eventuelt opplever at man har eller er nettopp det. Det forskningen forteller oss er at personer med sårbarhet for psykose eller schizofreni ofte har mye av den samme "bagasjen" som personer med PTSD, da særlig vonde eller traumatiske opplevelser fra barndommen. Det kan være omsorgssvikt, overgrep, relasjonstraumer eller å ha blitt utsatt for mobbing. Dette er bare indikatorer og betyr ikke automatisk at man er sårbar for psykoselidelse.
Det er individuelt hvordan vonde livserfaringer og rusbruk påvirker en og derfor vanskelig å forutsi på forhånd. En generell regel for alle, uansett bakgrunn, er å forsøke å utvise en forsiktighet når en utforsker rusmiddelbruk, også cannabis.
Det er viktig å nevne at selv om cannabis for de aller fleste er lite skadelig og forbundet med liten risiko, spesielt sporadisk bruk, så er det en liten andel av befolkningen som skal være forsiktig med cannabisbruk, og da særlig hyppig/daglig bruk. Personer med underliggende sårbarhet for psykoselidelse er en gruppe som særlig bør være forsiktig med cannabisbruk.
Det er ikke lett å vite om en har en underliggende sårbarhet for verken avhengighet eller psykose før en eventuelt opplever at man har eller er nettopp det. Det forskningen forteller oss er at personer med sårbarhet for psykose eller schizofreni ofte har mye av den samme "bagasjen" som personer med PTSD, da særlig vonde eller traumatiske opplevelser fra barndommen. Det kan være omsorgssvikt, overgrep, relasjonstraumer eller å ha blitt utsatt for mobbing. Dette er bare indikatorer og betyr ikke automatisk at man er sårbar for psykoselidelse.
Det er individuelt hvordan vonde livserfaringer og rusbruk påvirker en og derfor vanskelig å forutsi på forhånd. En generell regel for alle, uansett bakgrunn, er å forsøke å utvise en forsiktighet når en utforsker rusmiddelbruk, også cannabis.
Low likelihood of psychosis, but important to be aware of the risk
The fact that cannabis can increase the likelihood of psychosis does not mean there is a high probability of it happening. The likelihood is generally low, but it is still important to be aware of it. Other factors also influence the probability — often to a greater degree — such as lack of sleep, social isolation, and simultaneous use of other substances.
The type of cannabis consumed can also be decisive: while THC is associated with an increased likelihood of psychosis, research shows that CBD may have the opposite effect. The more CBD a cannabis product contains, the less THC it will have, and the overall effect becomes less psychoactive. Research indicates that CBD has an antipsychotic effect. The problem for those who use cannabis from the illegal market is that one cannot know in advance the strength or the proportion of different cannabinoids the product contains.
In general, cannabis with higher THC content can, for some, produce an intoxicating effect that more easily triggers restlessness, anxiety, or overthinking. Some may also experience feeling more paranoid while under the influence — commonly referred to as “paranoia” or “the noia.” Using cannabis with lower THC content may therefore be preferable for some to reduce potential unwanted side effects. For most users, this comes down to tolerance: someone who regularly self-medicates with cannabis will have a higher tolerance than an inexperienced or occasional user.
The fact that cannabis can increase the likelihood of psychosis does not mean there is a high probability of it happening. The likelihood is generally low, but it is still important to be aware of it. Other factors also influence the probability — often to a greater degree — such as lack of sleep, social isolation, and simultaneous use of other substances.
The type of cannabis consumed can also be decisive: while THC is associated with an increased likelihood of psychosis, research shows that CBD may have the opposite effect. The more CBD a cannabis product contains, the less THC it will have, and the overall effect becomes less psychoactive. Research indicates that CBD has an antipsychotic effect. The problem for those who use cannabis from the illegal market is that one cannot know in advance the strength or the proportion of different cannabinoids the product contains.
In general, cannabis with higher THC content can, for some, produce an intoxicating effect that more easily triggers restlessness, anxiety, or overthinking. Some may also experience feeling more paranoid while under the influence — commonly referred to as “paranoia” or “the noia.” Using cannabis with lower THC content may therefore be preferable for some to reduce potential unwanted side effects. For most users, this comes down to tolerance: someone who regularly self-medicates with cannabis will have a higher tolerance than an inexperienced or occasional user.
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Those who self-medicate with cannabis feel that they cannot be open and honest with their healthcare provider about their cannabis use.
Harm reduction – vaporizer
Some harm-reducing ways of consuming cannabis include using a vaporizer instead of smoking a joint. This way, one avoids inhaling burnt plant material, which can be harmful to the lungs. If smoking joints, try to avoid using tobacco — or use as little as possible — since tobacco smoke is well known to be highly harmful and carcinogenic. Another way of consuming cannabis is by eating it. In that case, it is important to be mindful of dosage and to know that the effect takes longer to set in, lasts longer, and can feel stronger.
Some harm-reducing ways of consuming cannabis include using a vaporizer instead of smoking a joint. This way, one avoids inhaling burnt plant material, which can be harmful to the lungs. If smoking joints, try to avoid using tobacco — or use as little as possible — since tobacco smoke is well known to be highly harmful and carcinogenic. Another way of consuming cannabis is by eating it. In that case, it is important to be mindful of dosage and to know that the effect takes longer to set in, lasts longer, and can feel stronger.
Harm reduction through mental health
On a broader level, harm reduction is very much about how one copes with life and participates in various activities. If someone is self-medicating with a substance, it may be obvious that they are struggling, but for some people it can also mean that self-medicating is precisely what enables them to cope and manage more than they otherwise could without it.
Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and other meaningful activities such as work and social interaction are all factors that influence both physical and mental health. Starting or maintaining treatment for the underlying causes of one’s self-medication can also be helpful.
On a broader level, harm reduction is very much about how one copes with life and participates in various activities. If someone is self-medicating with a substance, it may be obvious that they are struggling, but for some people it can also mean that self-medicating is precisely what enables them to cope and manage more than they otherwise could without it.
Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and other meaningful activities such as work and social interaction are all factors that influence both physical and mental health. Starting or maintaining treatment for the underlying causes of one’s self-medication can also be helpful.
We also know from surveys that those who self-medicate with cannabis feel that they cannot be open and honest with their therapist about their cannabis use because of fear of formal and informal sanctions, or that such openness often shifts the focus towards the drug use, which is then problematized instead of addressing the underlying symptoms or clinical picture.
"Users experience that cannabis provides a break from distressing symptoms."
The most common reasons users report for self-medicating with cannabis are that they struggle with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, ADHD, or PTSD. Users find that cannabis relieves pain and lifts their mood, and that its effect provides a break from distressing symptoms.
Although cannabis is relatively harmless for most people, one should still be aware of possible underlying vulnerabilities for developing dependence or suffering other harm from its use.
It is advisable to evaluate one’s own usage pattern and, if possible, to know the level of potency of the cannabis before using it.
Although cannabis is relatively harmless for most people, one should still be aware of possible underlying vulnerabilities for developing dependence or suffering other harm from its use.
It is advisable to evaluate one’s own usage pattern and, if possible, to know the level of potency of the cannabis before using it.
About Normal Norway
Normal is a non-profit user and interest organization in the drug policy field that works for evidence-based regulation of cannabis and the fight against stigmatization of cannabis users in Norway.
If you need to talk to someone about drugs and sex, you can contact Chemfriendly via Facebook, Instagram, Gaysir.no, or by email.
Published 14.4.2026