This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on November 19, 2014.
Medical marijuana is currently legal in 24 states and it’s commonly prescribed for managing chronic pain, something it’s highly effective at thanks to its psychoactive and neurological effects. As more patients try medical marijuana instead of doctor prescribed opiates like Vicodin, studies have produced positive results showing a reduction in overdoses across the state. This data was released by JAMA Internal Medicine and it indicates a safer, less at-risk society where medical marijuana is legal and used as a treatment for qualifying conditions. Painkillers have high addiction and overdose rates, with deaths reaching all-time highs in states where medical marijuana remains illegal.
Researchers were able to analyze data across all 50 states between 1999 and 2010. With over 13 states introducing medical marijuana during that time, it’s conclusive that there is a 25% lower rate in deaths caused by prescription painkillers.
The data for 2010 alone shows that there were 1,700 fewer overdose deaths when compared to expected numbers from before marijuana legalization.
Dr. Marcus Bachhuber: “It can be challenging for people to control chronic pain, so I think the more options we have the better, But I think it’s important of course, to weigh the risks and benefits of medical marijuana.”
Opiates such as oxycodone and methadone are often prescribed for chronic pain and given to patients after surgeries, injuries and painful events. This has led to nationwide abuse of the medication and a growing number of overdoses and deaths. Researchers say the rate a which drug overdoses have been rising is steady and it has become a leading cause of death by injury in the U.S. Approximately 55% of drug overdoses in 2011 were caused by prescription medicine and 75% of those were related to opiates and the opioid family.
“Prescription drug abuse and deaths due to overdose have emerged as national public health crises. As our awareness of the addiction and overdose risks … grows, individuals with chronic pain and their medical providers may be opting to treat pain entirely or in part with medical marijuana.” said a senior author and associate professor Colleen Barry.
24 states now recognize the growing need for medical marijuana legalization and see it as a treatment option for HIV patients, cancer patients, glaucoma, epilepsy, chronic pain and more. The states dictate which conditions are eligible for medical marijuana, with some states including conditions less severe.
To put this into perspective, there are over 1.5 billion people in the world and 100 million Americans that have reportedly suffered from chronic pain.
“Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may have been an initial mishap — sprained back, serious infection, or there may be an ongoing cause of pain — arthritis, cancer, ear infection, but some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage.” -American Academy of Pain Medicine
This doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise to doctors that are familiar with medical marijuana’s benefits and the dangers of prescription painkillers.
The study shows that more research is needed on THC and CBD, the primary cannabinoids found in marijuana. Determining their safety, long-term efficiency and addiction risk is critical. If the federal government reduced marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug, this would make researching its benefits easier.
Some researchers say that death certificates have flawed results and overdose death rates are not completely clear. Opioid analgesics are sometimes incorrectly reported on death certificates and this makes creating a link between medical marijuana and overdoses more complicated.
Before states can know for sure, more research will need to be conducted. Providing safer treatment for chronic pain is an accomplishment for modern medicine and if overdoses can be prevented, medical marijuana is a high profile candidate. Currently, medical marijuana requires a recommendation from a doctor and is not prescribed as regular medicines are. Dispensaries located throughout the state are responsible for selling marijuana to approved medical marijuana users. With a green card, as it’s often called, a medical marijuana user can buy from the dispensary or grow plants at home if their state permits it.
Is marijuana an effective painkiller?
Medical marijuana is associated with a strong psychoactive effect, or “high” that can help as a chronic pain reliever. Additionally, marijuana effects the central nervous system and interferes with cannabinoid receptors that are responsible for pain. This provides neurological short-term pain relief and it means medical marijuana can play a significant role in healthcare.
What types of painkillers can medical marijuana replace?
With such a wide variety of prescription painkillers today, there is ample opportunity for medical marijuana to serve as an alternative. Some of these prescription painkillers include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, hydrocodone, fentanyl, morphine and propofol. Many of these medications are prescribed for chronic pain and contribute to high overdose rates.
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