[wayoutthere]

I would argue that much of the anxiety in first time users stems from the perception of marijuana as a dangerous or illegal substance. Not to discount the negative effects of cannabis because they do exist (cannabis induced psychosis is very real in heavy users), but there are also plenty of medical use cases where cannabis is safer than the widely-accepted alternative. I actually use it for anxiety attacks myself; a good mellow indica works better and impairs me far less than a Xanax, for example.

[joeberon]

I really really could not disagree more. My anxiety attacks were much more about getting stuck in vivid loops thinking about really bad situations happening, literally anything like someone calling or knocking at the door. I know it isn't legality because I had my worst anxiety attack of all in _Amsterdam_. Weed makes some people have horrific anxiety attacks, I think nothing more needs to be said. I don't think it's because of the danger or legality. I smoked weed for years in comfortable settings and always had anxiety attacks (I was addicted even though I was panicking every time...) I know a lot of people who have had anxiety attacks even though they are in safe or legal environments

[asxd]

Yeah, the paranoia can be very real. When I do smoke, I mostly like to do it alone where I know I won't have to interact with anyone and can completely control my environment.

I think weed affects people in wildly different ways. I know folks who can smoke all day and still be very social. As for myself, I generally need to remove myself from a social situation if I get too high, due to weird anxieties.

edit: I use the word paranoia here just because that's how I've interpreted my own experiences. I think "anxiety" is probably a more apt description.

[joeberon]

I think generally it is anxiety, but I have also experienced paranoia. That is, usually the feeling is "I feel really bad and worried and I think something is going to go wrong", but there have definitely been a few times where I'm sitting looking out the window terrified that each person is going to knock on the door, or just properly scared of every little sound. I would call those paranoia.

[psyc]

Well, I had been a moderate stoner for a few years, and I had no concern about the law. Then, I went through a phase where I had horrible panic attacks every single time I smoked. It seemed purely a chemical thing to me. Now, in middle age, I only ever feel mildly stoned and body high, no matter how much I smoke or what strain.