As the US mulls over the prognosis oflegalizing cannabisat thefederal level , new research highlight the impact that state - level reform have had on prescription drug usance . After examine all Medicaid prescriptions over an eight - year stop , research worker discovered that recreational ganja legalization is associated with substantial reductions in prescription drug for the discussion of pain , imprint , anxiousness , slumber disorder , psychosis , and seizures .
To appointment , 38 states and the District of Columbia ( DC ) have authorize medical cannabis laws , while unpaid consumption is effectual in 18 country and DC . A act of previous studies have indicated that approach to medical cannabis may be linked tolower rates of prescription opioid exercise , though little is known about the influence offully effectual weedon pharmaceutic intake .
Writing in the journalHealth Economics , the study authors explicate that “ since RCLs [ unpaid marihuana laws ] impact the intact adult population within a state as fight down to only those with dynamic aesculapian cannabis cards , it seems plausible that the consequence of RCLs on pharmaceutical drug utilization may be even greater than that of medical legal philosophy . ” To enquire , they pile up data point on Medicaid prescriptions from all 50 state for every one-quarter - year between 2011 and 2019 . Prior to this menstruum , no US state of matter had legalized recreational cannabis use .
termination show that states that joined the so - called green wave during this timeframe go through major changes in ethical drug drug use . On fair , recreational legalization was associated with a 12.2 percent reduction in Medicaid prescriptions for anxiety drug , while scripts for anti - depressants and painkillers fell by 11.1 percentage and 8 percent respectively .
Seizure medication prescriptions were also reduced by 9.5 pct , with antipsychotic use down 10.7 percent and sleep medication usance fall by 10.8 percent . However , no changes in the habit of drug for nausea , spasticity or glaucoma were remark followinglegalization .
“ These results have important implication , ” spell the researchers , adding that “ the reductions in drug employment that we see provide information about likely cost savings for state Medicaid programs . ”
“ The termination also indicate a possible harm reducing opportunity , as pharmaceutical drugs often come with life-threatening side issue or – as with opioids – potential for misuse , ” they say .
However , while these figures indicate a move away from pharmaceutic drugs , the data does n’t reveal whether or not patients are in reality substituting these medication with cannabis , which pass water it difficult to draw in any steady conclusions on the power of weed to supervene upon other drug . Furthermore , the researcher charge out that these outcome do n’t allow for any insights into patient wellness , and ca n’t therefore be used to see if this trend away from pharmaceuticals is actually beneficial for the great unwashed ’s health .
Still , human body like these are sure to add weight to the argument for Union cannabis legitimation , and could help to ensure that this 4/20 is one of the last of the prohibition era .
