Overdose Deaths Plummet in the United States with the Legalisation of Medical Cannabis

Opioid drugs, such as morphine and codeine, are a source of benefits for those patients suffering the effects of certain conditions, such as cancer. However, they also have drawn criticism, mainly for their great potential for abuse, and other health risks, for those who take them.

These risks are precisely why their prescription in the United States has had devastating consequences on public health. Therefore, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) urges great caution when prescribing them.

Meanwhile, the new situation featuring legal medical cannabis has led to several studies analysing its impact. One of them was conducted at Johns Hopkins University's School of Public Health in Baltimore. The results indicated that deaths from opioid overdoses have declined an average of 25% in states where decriminalisation has been introduced. In addition, the positive impact of legalising medical marijuana is seen quickly, detectable just one year following regulation.

These findings were drawn from the information employed by the study: deaths from 1999 to 2010 were analysed and compared, and it was found that annual rates had been declining continuously as laws permitting the consumption of medical marijuana were approved.

While the controversy over prescribing opioids rages on, more and more states in the country have opted to join the trend towards the decriminalisation of medical cannabis (the list currently consists of 24, plus Washington DC).

In this way the drug has become a better solution to deal with chronic diseases and alleviate severe pain, previously treated with opioids.

Based on this case it can be seen how the research has begun to identify medical marijuana not just as a valuable tool to improve people's health and quality of life, but also to mitigate other social ills. Deaths from overdoses on opioid drugs just might be a thing of the past if therapeutic cannabis continues to be legalised.