Cannabis Legalization Led to ‘Immediate Drop’ in Opioid Overdose Deaths in US

The opioid epidemic in the United States has been one of the most serious public health problems for years. As a result of overprescribing of opioids, their availability on the black market, and their high addictive potential, millions of Americans struggle with addiction, and thousands die from overdoses each year. These data raise questions about the effectiveness of current strategies to combat the crisis and the need for new solutions.

One such solution is the legalization of cannabis. A growing body of research suggests that access to legal cannabis, both medical and recreational, can reduce the harm caused by opioid misuse. A recent study published in the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) found that states that legalized cannabis saw an almost immediate drop in opioid overdose deaths.

These results put cannabis in a whole new light as a potential tool in the fight against the opioid crisis. What are the mechanisms behind this, and what do the data say? Let’s take a closer look.

The results of the latest research

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from several American universities, analyzed the impact of recreational cannabis legalization (RML) on opioid overdose death rates. It used a unique methodology called the C&S approach (differences in differences with multiple time periods), which allowed for more precise tracking of changes over time.

Main conclusions from the study:

Reduction in deaths : The introduction of recreational cannabis was associated with a decrease in opioid overdose deaths of about 3.5 per 100,000 population.

Better results in states with earlier legalization : The effects were more significant in states that legalized cannabis earlier, suggesting that the longer the law is in place, the greater the health benefits.

Immediate effect : The decline in deaths was apparent almost immediately after the law was implemented, and this trend continued for at least five years in states with early legalization.

Study limitations:

The analysis did not include data on hospitalizations, nonfatal overdoses, or other indicators of opioid misuse.

The relatively short period of operation of the RML (11 years in the USA) limits the ability to assess long-term effects.

Mechanisms of action

Cannabis, especially in medical form, is increasingly being used as an alternative to pain management. Unlike opioids, cannabis has a much lower potential for addiction and risk of overdose. Patients with chronic pain may choose cannabis instead of opioids, reducing their risk of addiction and death.

Access to legal cannabisreduces the need for prescription opioids, which reduces the risk of overusing these medications. In Utah, studies have shown that opioid overdose deaths also declined after medical cannabis was legalized.

Studies suggest that the effects of legalization are more pronounced over time. In some cases, the decline in deaths only became more significant three years after the first cannabis stores opened. This is because of the time it takes for the regulations to be fully implemented and the market to develop.

Confirmation from other studies on the impact of cannabis legalization

The latest research on the public health impact of cannabis legalization is not unique. Many previous studies provide evidence of a positive effect of access to cannabis on reducing opioid-related deaths and addiction.

Utah has provided evidence that legalizing medical cannabis has effectively reduced opioid overdose deaths. Results from a study conducted by Management Science Associates (MSA) showed that chronic pain patients switched to cannabis instead of opioids, leading to significant decreases in both opioid prescriptions and opioid overdose deaths.

Not only cannabis as a whole, but also its component – ​​CBD – has a noticeable effect on reducing the opioid crisis. Studies have shown that the availability of legal CBD leads to a reduction in opioid prescriptions by 6.6% to 8.1%. CBD, being an effective painkiller, allows patients to manage pain without the risk of addiction.

An analysis of Medicaid data found that states that legalized recreational cannabis saw significant reductions in opioid prescriptions. Research published in 2022 found a reduction in the use of opioid medications for a range of conditions, suggesting that cannabis may be an effective therapeutic alternative.

A study published in the prestigious journal BMJ Open compared the effectiveness of cannabis and opioids in treating chronic non-cancer pain. The results showed that cannabis was as effective as opioids but caused fewer side effects, such as addiction. Patients who switched to cannabis therapy saw significant improvements in their quality of life while reducing their use of other pain medications.

Implications for public policy

The study findings underscore the potentially transformative impact of marijuana legalization on public health, raising key public policy questions.

Enacting laws to make marijuana widely available, both medically and recreationally, could significantly reduce opioid-related deaths in other states and countries. There is an evidence-based case for accelerating these legislative processes.

Legalizing cannabis not only saves lives, but also reduces the cost of treating addiction and hospitalizations related to opioid overdoses. Access to legal cannabis also reduces pressure on the health care system, freeing up resources for other social needs.

The US experience can serve as an example for other countries struggling with the opioid crisis. Legalizing cannabis as a tool to combat addiction should be considered by policymakers around the world.

Further research needed

Although the results of research to date are promising, there are some knowledge gaps that need to be filled.

Knowledge gaps

No data on the long-term effects of cannabis legalization on the opioid crisis.
Limited information on the impact of legalization on hospitalizations and other health indicators.
The need to analyze the impact of cannabis on different demographic and socioeconomic groups.

Research proposals

Long-term study of the impact of legalization on public health.

Analysis of other health indicators, such as the number of hospitalizations or the impact on patients’ mental health.

Comparison of results with countries that have implemented different strategies to combat the opioid crisis.

Summary

Legalizing cannabis is proving to be an effective tool in combating the opioid crisis. Evidence suggests that access to cannabis leads to an almost immediate decrease in opioid overdose deaths, reduced addiction, and reduced opioid prescriptions.

Policymakers should use the available data to speed up legislative processes and implement more user-friendly cannabis laws. Delays in implementing such changes potentially mean thousands of lives could be saved.

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(Featured image by Rdne Stock project via Pexels)

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