Study: Fewer prescription drugs when cannabis is legal

Two researchers have found a link between the legalization of cannabis and a drop in drug prescriptions in the United States. In the 18 American states where the plant is legal, For example, sales of anti-anxiety capsules fell by 12 %, but also by 11 % for depression and sleep disorders, 10 % for epileptic seizures, and 8 % for painkillers. Only drugs for nausea, glaucoma or multiple sclerosis remain unchanged.

«These results are important. It could save social security programs money. Also, it's a chance to reduce the harm associated with the dangerous side effects of some prescribed drugs.», says Shyam Raman, co-author of the study, in a press release.

Both scientists are young PhD students. Shyam Raman is studying at Cornell's Institute of Public Policy; Ashley Bradford is at Indiana University. Their study was published in Health Economics and reviewed by other scientists, as is customary.

Cannabis to replace opioids

To obtain these results, Raman and Bradford recovered data from various Medicaid, the social security programs specific to each American state. Their term runs from 2011 to 2019, i.e. one year before the first state legalizes cannabis. In places where the «green wave» has taken hold, scientists are observing a statistical drop in drug prescriptions.

However, the authors warn against extrapolating these results. Their work is purely statistical. They did not interview patients to find out whether they had left their capsules. for cannabis. On social networks, some Americans are reporting that they have almost stopped taking their medication. But it's difficult to extend this situation to several million people.

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In any case, the study by the two young doctoral students confirms a trend. Other studies show that cannabis with a high dose of CBD can be an interesting alternative to opioids, These powerful drugs cause 50,000 deaths a year in the United States.

«Pharmaceutical drugs are generally associated with dangerous side effects or, as is the case with opioids, a risk of misuse.», write the two authors in their study.