In testimony before Congress last week, by DEA acting administrator Robert Patterson opined that the medicalization of cannabis is exacerbating opioid abuse. But when prompted to provide evidence in support of the agency’s position, he acknowledged that he could not.
Category: opioids
New York: Patients Using Fewer Opioids Following Enrollment In Medical Cannabis Program
Patients enrolled in New York state’s medical cannabis program reduce their use of opioids and spend less money on prescription medications, according to data published online in the journal Mental Health Clinician. “After three months treatment, medical cannabis improved [subjects’] quality of life, reduced pain and opioid use, and lead to cost savings,” authors concluded.
Studies: Marijuana Legalization Associated With Reduced Opioid Prescribing Trends
The enactment of marijuana legalization laws is associated with a significant reduction in the number of opioids prescribed and filled, according to a pair of studies published online today in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
Study: Cannabis Effective At Treating Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia
Cannabis therapy mitigates symptoms of the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia and is associated with a reduction in the use of other prescription drugs, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. An estimated 3 to 6 million Americans are afflicted by fibromyalgia, which is often poorly controlled by standard pain medications.
Cannabis Access Consistently Linked With Lower Opioid Use: Studies
Patients routinely reduce or eliminate their use of prescription opiates following the use of medical cannabis; two recently published studies reaffirm this relationship.
Study: Cannabis Is Safe And Effective For Elderly Patients
Cannabis therapy is safe and effective among elderly patients diagnosed with chronic pain, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the European Journal of Internal Medicine. “After six months of treatment, 93.7 percent of the respondents reported improvement in their condition,” researchers reported.
Study: Cannabis Is Safe And Effective For Elderly Patients
Cannabis therapy is safe and effective among elderly patients diagnosed with chronic pain, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the European Journal of Internal Medicine. “After six months of treatment, 93.7 percent of the respondents reported improvement in their condition,” researchers reported.
Study: Medical Cannabis Registrants More Likely To Cease Using Opioids Compared To Non-Participants
Chronic pain patients enrolled in a statewide medical cannabis access program are significantly more likely to either reduce or cease their use of opioids as compared to non-enrolled patients suffering from similar pain conditions, according to data published online in the journal PLOS One.
Trump’s Commission Denies Evidence That Cannabis Can Mitigate Opioid Abuse
Despite the growing body of scientific evidence showing that cannabis access is associated with reductions in opioid use and mortality, the Chairman of the White House’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis today called upon the President to reject any efforts to acknowledge marijuana’s promising role in mitigating opioid abuse and dependency.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer: Medical Cannabis Is Safer Than Opioids
On Wednesday, October 11th, Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified before the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health on how to deal with the opioid crisis in America.