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SharksForArms t1_izgac0i wrote

Reply to comment by GinWithJennifer in weed is legal 🪴 by ancientaroma79

This study notes that they saw this trend of fewer opioid prescriptions specifically in states with legalized medical marijuana compared to states without.

Assuming that a growing reluctance to prescribe opioids was/is relatively uniform across the nation, you can still attribute the reduction in opiate prescriptions to legal MMJ according to this one study.

While this one study makes a convincing case about marijuana legality affecting the rate of opioid prescriptions, there could be other factors involved that are not being controlled for. For example, it is possible that those states with legal MMJ also have differing social policies overall that could affect the rate of opioid abuse. I completely agree with your point about correlation vs causation; we absolutely need much more research on all aspects of marijuana to draw those lines with full confidence.

It's insane that we are only now starting to ramp up scientific study of a substance vast numbers of Americans have been using for generations.

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GinWithJennifer t1_izgbfma wrote

Didn't oregon or Washington decriminalize most or all drugs? How's that going? Honestly wish we'd do something besides punishing people that are already suffering. Im 2 weeks without alcohol today :)

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ProGlizzyHandler t1_izj469p wrote

I've got some issues that medical cannabis can help and I've read a number of articles about cannabis being used to treat alcoholism. I never really wanted to have to pay to get access to medicine (mmj cards) but once rec passed I took the plunge and started using cannabis (delta 8 but now that the good stuff is legal I'll be switching to that). After over a decade of alcoholism I'm 4 weeks off the shit. Between that and cannabis helping with my other issues I feel fucking fantastic.

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SharksForArms t1_izghz5s wrote

Well decriminalizing heroin would probably reduce opioid prescriptions somewhat!

Congrats on the sobriety! My partner has been sober for 7 years now. Springfield has a really robust AA community and that was a great help to her especially during the difficult times. I obviously don't know your personal situation, but you never have to be alone in recovery unless you choose to be. Sobriety gets easier the longer you stick with it, so much easier.

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