Many people find themselves in a situation where they are offered marijuana.

While marijuana has been legalized in some states, it remains illegal at the federal level.

Here are five top phrases to help you say no to weed.

Woman driving

B. Blue/Getty Images

I’m Driving

This is the ultimate excuse.

Driving under the influence of anypsychoactivedrug puts lives at risk, including your own.

Anyone who pressures you to use cannabis after you give this response isn’t worth listening to.

It will deflect all the annoying persuasive tactics other smokers use pressure others into trying it.

This excuse might feel most convincing if it is true.

If you haven’t used marijuana before, you might feel more comfortable using a different response.

Don’t get caught up in explaining what it was you didn’t like.

If you are asked, say, “I just didn’t like it.”

No one can argue with that.

It communicates that you have a life beyond what is happening in the room at the time.

Pro-legalization people base their argument on personal choice, so they should respect your point of view.

This risk is much higher for those who begin smoking marijuana as teens.

Symptoms of addiction include:

Treatments are available that can help people with marijuana use disorder.

There is no FDA-approved medication for the condition, so treatments primarily focus on psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

People who have a marijuana addiction also benefit from making changes to their social environment.

Spending less time around people who are using marijuana can help people combat cravings and reduce peer pressure.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

2017;12(11):e0187320.

2020;22(8):1404-1408. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz085

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is marijuana?

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?

Sherman BJ, McRae-Clark AL.Treatment of cannabis use disorder: Current science and future outlook.Pharmacotherapy.