Marijuana Use Reduces Need For Prescription Painkillers, According To Survey

COLUMBUS, OH – A new study by Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law has indicated that marijuana use reduces the need for prescription pain medication.

Current and potential Ohio Medical Marijuana patients were surveyed, and of the approximately 3,500 who responded, the results indicated that over 77% agreed that using marijuana reduced their use of prescription painkillers.

Furthermore far more respondents agreed, rather than disagreed, (26.78% agree versus 1.9% disagree) that marijuana use reduced their use of other illicit drugs.

The researchers said the findings point to several potential policy implications. For instance, they said, “If Ohio probation and
parole offices include a prohibition of marijuana use for individuals with a history of opioid use, those offices may want to consider weighing the costs and benefits of removing those prohibitions.”

The Moritz College results were reported to be consistent with the findings of previous research.

A 2022 study published in the journal Health Economics that was cited by NORML reported that marijuana legalization is associated with “significant reductions in the volume of prescriptions within the drug classes that align with the medical indications for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis, and seizures.”

Other research involving Canadian medical cannabis patients found that access to marijuana is associated with decreasing use of opioids, alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances.

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