Free Venlafaxine Treatment for Marijuana Addiction and Depression - 1 (VEN)

Inclusion Criteria: Meets criteria for current marijuana addiction and reports marijuana as primary drug of abuse Currently meets criteria for major depression or dysthymic disorder and receive a score of greater than or equal to 12 on the Hamilton Depression Inventory Clinically depressed for at least 3 months during a period of active marijuana use Women of child-bearing age will be included provided that they are not pregnant, based on the results of a blood pregnancy done at the time of screening and agree to use a method of contraception with proven efficacy and not to become pregnant during the study. To confirm this, blood pregnancy tests will be repeated monthly. Women will be provided a full explanation of the potential dangers of pregnancy while on the study. If a woman becomes pregnant, the study medication will be discontinued. Exclusion Criteria: Meets criteria for past manic or psychotic disorder, unless substance-related History of a seizure disorder Individuals with chronic organic mental syndrome Any significant risk for suicide based on current assessment and history of attempts History of allergic reaction to either Venlafaxine or Ven-XR Unstable physical disorders that might make participation hazardous, such as uncontrolled hypertension and tachycardia (SBP>150, DBP >90, or a sitting quietly HR>100), acute hepatitis (patients with chronic mildly elevated transaminase levels (<2x upper limit of normal are acceptable) or unstable diabetes History of failure to respond to a previous adequate trial of Venlafaxine of at least 300 mg. for at least a 6-week period Physical dependence on any other drugs (excluding nicotine) that would require medical detoxification Currently being prescribed psychotropic medication by another physician (in the last 3 weeks), except for acute treatment of insomnia. Pregnant or breast-feeding