Can Medical Marijuana be A Solution to The Opioid Epidemic?

Another two examined the relationship between both medical and recreational laws and fatal opioid overdose. Both prescription opioids and marijuana have been used to treat chronic pain. Opioid painkillers are generally safe when taken as prescribed in opioid treatment, but the risk of addiction is higher, compared to cannabis. While medical cannabis can help with chronic pain, it may not be as effective for severe pain. In states where marijuana is available through medical channels, a modestly lower rate of opioid and high-risk opioid prescribing was observed. Policy makers could consider medical marijuana legalization as a tool that may modestly reduce chronic and high-risk opioid use.

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Used for centuries, opioids were first extracted in the form of opium from the poppy plant. This is why they’re so frequently abused and often lead to dependence and addiction. In addition, according to Science Daily, there are over 76 million people in America today who suffer from chronic pain conditions. However, these types of pain conditions are the ones that are managed least effectively. The key is to remember that options for treatment — including cannabis for opiate dependence — and hope for overcoming opiate dependence exist.

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Four studies have examined the association between medical cannabis laws and opioid use and opioid use disorder outcomes, and no studies have examined the association between recreational cannabis laws and these outcomes. Common outcomes included ever and past year use of opioid medications, both prescribed and not prescribed by a provider, and past year opioid use disorder. Addiction to opioids — prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl — is a national crisis. The epidemic’s impact has been vast, disproportionately affecting military personnel and veterans, and estimates put the annual U.S. economic burden for prescription opioid misuse alone at more than $504 billion. NIH-supported research has led to effective strategies that can be implemented right now to save lives and to prevent and treat opioid addiction. For example, NARCAN® Nasal Spray can Alcohol Use Disorder revive individuals from opioid overdose.

What role does medical supervision play in using marijuana for addiction recovery?

When shown images that acted as reminders or cues of their addiction, those receiving CBD experienced significantly less craving compared to those taking placebo. Of note, their trial also demonstrated significant reductions in cue-induced anxiety among those taking CBD compared to placebo. How the findings described here relate to other studies on marijuana’s potential as a therapeutic aid how to beat alcoholism remains inconclusive.

By that reasoning, federal law that outlaws marijuana should override any state medical marijuana law that allow it. If someone is using cannabis without engaging in opioid use, then we might agree that they are on a successful program of recovery. Of course, this path to being drug-free is not for everyone, and probably not right for most people. But, we must consider that when something works, endlessly fighting against it may not be the best course of action. Opioids work by binding to and activating opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. By binding to the receptors, opioids block pain signals to the brain and produce an analgesic or pain-relieving effect.

• Studies have demonstrated that medical marijuana use can lead to reduced alcohol consumption and mitigate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (such as anxiety, insomnia, and nausea), thereby easing the path to recovery for alcoholics.
• Not only can it help you if you’re in chronic pain with a serious illness such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, but it’s also now considered to be a treatment that has a significant impact on you if you’re addicted to opiates.
• Nicotine addiction, whether from cigarettes or vaping, is notoriously difficult to overcome.

Unlike opioids, which require higher doses over time to remain effective, cannabis may provide consistent relief without the same escalation risks. It’s not a cure-all, and it won’t work for everyone, but for those looking to manage pain without the dangers of addiction, overdose, or severe withdrawal, medical cannabis is proving to be a stronger, safer alternative. Quantitative policy evaluations are inadequate, on their own, to understand the effects of state medical cannabis laws on opioid-related outcomes.

• To back our theory further, we’ve also gathered information from licensed medical cannabis patients and physicians.
• As this happens, your body develops a tolerance for the opiates and needs more of them to produce the same pleasing result.

The NIDA is are also providing grants for other projects that will test cannabidiol for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction and relapse prevention. Many balks at the idea of giving cannabis to children, so here are some of the most common questions parents have about medical cannabis for minors. The information contained on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.