In regard to the opioid epidemic in the United States, the simple act of over-prescribing is considered to be a significant factor. In contrast, the utilization of cannabis (marijuana) is an alternative that can relieve pain with very little risk for addiction, and the near impossibility of risk for overdose.
The authors of this study correlated the implementation of state marijuana laws with the prescription rates and spending on opioids among the medicare population. They contrasted the states with marijuana laws to those without for the years of 2011-2016.
They found that the implementation of medical marijuana laws was associated with a 5.8% reduction of opioids, and when states implemented adult recreational laws there was a 6.3% reduction. The conclusion is that the potential for marijuana to reduce opioid consumption and subsequent harm deserves relevant consideration in both the debate of marijuana policy and the opioid epidemic.
