Studies show medical marijuana has reduced opioid abuse in other states

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two peer-reviewed studies released in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine have found that legalizing medical cannabis is linked to significantly lower rates of opiate use.

In the first study, Dr. Hefei Wen of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Jason M. Hockenberry of Emory University report that passage of medical marijuana laws is followed by a reduction in opiate prescriptions of nearly 6 percent. 

Wen and Hockenberry write, "Marijuana is one of the potential alternative drugs that can provide relief from pain at a relatively lower risk of addiction and virtually no risk of overdose. These findings suggest that medical and adult-use marijuana laws have the potential to reduce opioid prescribing for Medicaid enrollees, a segment of population with disproportionately high risk for chronic pain, opioid use disorder, and opioid overdose."
 
In a second study, Dr. David Bradford and Dr. Amanda Abraham from the University of Georgia conclude that medical marijuana laws are associated with an 8.5 percent reduction opioid doses filled by Medicare Part D recipients.
 
That's welcome news for Oklahomans, who have chance to legalize Medical Cannabis by voting "yes" on State Question 788 on June 26.
 
Bud Scott is the executive director of New Health Solutions Oklahoma, a trade group that represents business interests in the medical cannabis industry. The research, he says, clearly indicates that access to medical marijuana helps reduce opioid abuse and related deaths. Over 840 Oklahomans die every year from opioid overdoses, according to a recently released report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
"Every Oklahoman has been affected in one way or another by the opioid epidemic," said Scott. "What starts for many people as a legal way of treating chronic pain can quickly become an addiction and a downward spiral. This research clearly shows that medical cannabis is one of the ways we can fight this epidemic while still providing relief and compassionate care to people suffering from debilitating pain."

New Health Solutions Oklahoma is working to support responsible rules and regulations of the medical cannabis industry in Oklahoma. Scott is working with legislators to pass laws prior to the June 26 vote to ensure those rules are in place before the implementation of a medical cannabis program.

The Gayly. April 20, 2018. 12:39 p.m. CST.