THis JAMA Internal Medicine article concludes that states that have medical marijuana have lower opiate overdose death rates. It is no secret that the number of patients with noncancer pain who receive opiate prescriptions has nearly doubled in the past decade. As this has occurred, the number of opiate overdoses and deaths has similarly peaked. … Read More
This is a link to the 4th annual report from the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area publication which reports on the effects of legalization in Colorado. Marijuana related traffic deaths increased 48 percent in the three year average (2013‐2015) since Colorado legalized recreational marijuana compared to the three‐year average (2010‐2012) prior to legalization.… Read More
Interesting JAMA article by Emergency Physician Esther Choo regarding the likely transition of opiate use/abuse to marjiuana use/abuse. With the current nationwide epidemic of opioid abuse, dependence, and fatalities, clinicians are being asked by federal agencies and professional societies to control their prescribing of narcotic medications for pain. Federal guidelines emphasize tapering, discontinuing, and limiting… Read More
Associated Press, Michael Casey shares an interesting take on MMJ. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as… Read More
This study compares prevalence and trends in marijuana use and marijuana use disorder from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions with those from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Over the past decade with the easing of state laws, the use of marijuana has increased by almost 20%. However, based… Read More
