Opioid use decreases in US states that legalize medical marijuana - study

New research shows a decline in the use of opioid painkillers in US states that allow people to treat pain with medical marijuana, affirming the fears of Big Pharma who have been vigorously seeking to frustrate efforts to legalize

Columbia University researchers examined data from 1999 to 2013 and found an association between a state legalizing medical marijuana and a reduction in testing positive for opioids after dying in a car accident

The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, examined data of 69000 traffic fatalities in 18 states

The report also coincides with the revelation that Insys Therapeutics, which profits off of a painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, has been funding an anti-legalization campaign in Arizona in an apparent bid to eliminate 'the competition.'

Insys isn't the first pharmaceutical company to be found bankrolling anti-marijuana legislation though with a number of alcohol and pharmaceutical companies "heavily" invested in such laws in a number of states

Source

Here's some more data to confirm what practically everyone knows. Researchers have found a correlation between legal marijauana and a significant decline in opioid use. The article further points out that various pharmaceutical companies have been working vigorously to keep medical marijuana illegal - obviously because it harms their profits from peddling dangerous and addictive opioids. I recently made a thread about this very topic HERE.

I find this hard to believe - don't you see how happy everyone is on pharmaceutical commercials? Marijuana is evil because you can't patent it.

a reply to: trollz

Whats more absurd? I can present a dr.'s script to my employer for taking opioids...but I can't present a dr.'s script for medical marijuana. That would get me fired.

I also cannot keep my concealed weapons permit for a m.m. certificate...I have to choose. But, I can GET a concealed carry permit even with legal opioid use.

F'd up world of contradictions, huh?

a reply to: mysterioustranger

I also cannot keep my concealed weapons permit for a m.m. certificate...I have to choose. But, I can GET a concealed carry permit even with legal opioid use.

And that, even though my state has legalized medical M, is why I will never switch.

a reply to: trollz

Columbia University researchers examined data from 1999 to 2013 and found an association between a state legalizing medical marijuana and a reduction in testing positive for opioids after dying in a car accident

That could be anyone who uses drugs, not necessarily pain patients. They would need to compare the number of prescriptions for each, to see if there is a decline.

Right now i am picturing Ronald Reagan as luke skywalker when he finds out his dad is Darth Vader.

Not surprising, but anecdotally here in Michigan heroin (who's use usually starts the with more expensive pharma pills) overdoses have been sky rocketing . Although, that's mostly teenagers who are not allowed to get medical certified..

How much more proof do people need? To me this issue should be on the forefront because if we don't have our health and freedom to maintain it in our own way that we have nothing else.


When I think of the obsurdity of the whole thing it makes me want to rip my clothes and rub ashes on my face like the old days..


a reply to: trollz

Interesting that they relate a decrease in opiate use to legalization of MMJ. 12 years ago I was on pain killers for a spinal disease and tried everything to get off. MMJ didnt work because I was un able to function while working. When I found Kratom as an alternative, I was able to get off the prescriptions and function. Now Kratom is being calssified as a schedule 1 drug as of Sept 30. Coincidence?

A wise man once said "It's not a war on drugs it's a war on personal freedoms, keep that in mind at all times thank you"..

So no, not a coincidence.


a reply to: Alchemst7

a reply to: trollz

Big pharma, alcohol companies, Trump & Clinton all want pot to remain illegal and schedule 1.

They're all deplorable!

a reply to: Alchemst7

Pretty sure thats just the typical least effective method for a social problem the gov normally comes up with. People are dying, lets make more laws they seem to be breaking the old ones.

originally posted by: mysterioustranger
a reply to: trollz

Whats more absurd? I can present a dr.'s script to my employer for taking opioids...but I can't present a dr.'s script for medical marijuana. That would get me fired.

I also cannot keep my concealed weapons permit for a m.m. certificate...I have to choose. But, I can GET a concealed carry permit even with legal opioid use.

F'd up world of contradictions, huh?

Absolutely. Further, traumatized veterans who are prescribed oodles of heavy pharmaceuticals lose their VA benefits if they smoke weed, yet I saw a show (on Vice, I think?) that showed many vets are helped more by grass than any drug 'treatments 'they receive from the VA.

Then theres parents who may lose their kids in some states even of they are prescribed marijuana legally, because of "Child Endangerment".

heroin use is going down in mmj states because they are all coming to freattle. first in the us for free injection sites and next on the list free housing and heroin.


oh and until then sleep and sh*t where you want

a reply to: DrakeINFERNO

I don't buy this. I live in PDX (in a mmj state) and I can't spit numbers at you, but you'll never convince me that heroin use is on the decline or even stable.

well . . . . duh

what did they think would be the results?

a reply to: MiddleInitial

thats cause the heroin addicts are so lost they think they are in seattle when they get to pdx

seattle and pdx are brothers in arms in the enabling of heroin use

The reason perscription opioids are down in those states is because if your Dr. sees mj in a urine test they will refuse to prescribe those meds.

a reply to: trollz

found an association between a state legalizing medical marijuana and a reduction in testing positive for opioids after dying in a car accident

Odd sample.

a reply to: intrptr

Hey intrptr...always a pleasure talking to you. Here is another stupid...idiotic law/regulation on the books.

You can go to a legal medical clinic, get a legal m.m. prescription issued by a legal doctor licensed in the state to do so...and if you flunk a 3-5-10 panel drug test...you will be fired.

Now. My point is...that should be considered discrimination for employment for a medical condition, legally obtained by a licensed physician...but you can still be fired because your employer doesnt allow it on or off the job.

That one bugs the crap outta me. And what they CAN do...is say youre terminated not for the m.m....but under the clause all employment has that says day-one you can be "terminated at any time for any and/or no reason at the discretion of your employer".

a reply to: intrptr

That would be on the Vice™ show "Weediquette" w/the host Krishna.


One MUST also look at "The War" Not the real, real costly one named "The war on drugs" but the war that started in 2001 when a bunch of guys who couldn't pilot a Cessna™ took over some commercial jetliners and did maneuvers that a 30 year Air Force pilot wouldn't even try. You know, the guys who had the indestructible Visas. Everything blows up but their passports..

Back in 2001 Afghanistan produced close to 7% en.wikipedia.org...
Now it is close to 90%. How do You think "They" pay for all this secret-squirrel snip?

Remember the opiate pain medication epidemic was replaced by the Heroin epidemic; Both are made w/opium but Heroin is cheaper to manufacture, so it makes perfect "CENTS" for those who are behind it..

To Note: I found out ALL this stuff back in 2001 when I was on "Light Duty" at the police department. Instead of handling bologna calls or looking at all the old Zodiac files (those are real fun) I started digging and digging. Keep in mind I had total access. It is a "racket"

www.nbcnews.com...

I also 'know a guy' who has used certain strains of Cannabis specifically grown w/pain fighting properties. His use of 2 opiate pain meds, Norco™ and Fentanyl™ are the same dose as when He started 12 years ago. He was a cop too..

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