Southern Maryland Relief
To gain a better handle on the opioid crisis, many within the medical and scientific communities are supporting medical marijuana as a safer alternative to opioids. While research is ongoing, JAMA Internal Medicine recently published two studies that showed opioid prescription rates are lower in states that have passed medical marijuana laws.
Continue reading to learn more about the debate between medical marijuana vs. opioid prescriptions.
Medical Marijuana vs. Opioid Prescriptions
Decrease in Opioid Prescriptions Filled
When it comes to medical marijuana vs. opioid prescriptions, research suggests a notable correlation between them. In fact, the results of one longitudinal analysis demonstrated that state legalization of medical marijuana was followed by a decrease in the number of opioid prescriptions filled. More specifically, when a state legalized marijuana, opioid prescriptions fell by 2.21 million daily doses filled per year.
The opening of dispensaries prompted an even greater decline in the number of opioid prescriptions filled in a given state, with a decrease of 3.74 million daily doses per year.
Decrease in Opioid Prescribing
The link between medical marijuana and opioid prescriptions doesn’t stop there. Studies have also shown a drop in opioids prescriptions after state medical marijuana laws went into effect. According to an analysis of Medicaid prescription data from 2011 to 2016, there was a 5.88% lower rate of opioid prescribing in states that legalized medical marijuana. Further reduction in opioid prescribing was noted when these states legalized the recreational use of marijuana.
Need for More Medical Marijuana Research
Despite these promising findings, further research is needed regarding medical marijuana and the opioid crisis. This is especially true in terms of medical marijuana’s medicinal benefits, safety, and dosing.
Additional information will also assist providers in advising patients about cannabis efficacy, risks, and proper usage as well as promote more open discussions about medical marijuana.
Learn More About Medical Marijuana and the Opioid Crisis
If you would like additional information about medical marijuana as an opioid alternative, please contact Dispensary Works today. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our dispensary, products, protocols and Southern Maryland relief.
