LEGALIZING CANNABIS LINKED TO LESS OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS, COULD HELP COMBAT EPIDEMIC, SCIENTISTS SAY
There are less opioid prescriptions on average in U.S. states where medical and recreational marijuana are legal, research has revealed.
Access to recreational cannabis in the U.S. was tied with a 11.8 percent lower rate of opioids prescriptions each day, and 4.2 percent for medical marijuana. The authors of the paper published in the Journal of Health Economics said recreational weed laws could make it easier for patients to access the drug, and use it to treat pain and other conditions.
Both types of law also appeared to cut down the total number of patients receiving opioids, as well as the total days opioids were supplied, and the likelihood of a healthcare provider prescribing the painkillers. The study also showed family physicians gave out more opioids than any other healthcare speciality, such as dentists or nurses.
Stories you may be interested in
Finally, Georgia can grow medical marijuana. Here’s what you need to know.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta on medical marijuana: We are in an age of wisdom, but also an age of foolishness
Texas House Bill 3703: What You Need to Know
PTSD and Cannabis
After marijuana edibles helped dying Holocaust survivor battle Alzheimer’s, his family’s foundation pushes for more research
